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+  <body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76916 ***</div>
+
+<div class='tnotes covernote'>
+
+<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p>
+
+<p class='c000'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='titlepage'>
+
+<div>
+  <h1 class='c001'><i>EM’S HUSBAND</i><br> <i>A Sequel to “Em”</i></h1>
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div><span class='xlarge'>By MRS. E. D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH</span></div>
+    <div class='c003'>Author of</div>
+    <div>“Ishmael,” “Self-Raised,” “Lilith,” “The Unloved Wife,” “Why Did He Wed Her?” Etc.</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div  class='figcenter id001'>
+<img src='images/i_title.jpg' alt='[Logo]' class='ig001'>
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+  <div class='nf-center'>
+    <div><span class='large'>A. L. BURT COMPANY</span></div>
+    <div><span class='large'>PUBLISHERS&#8196; &#8196; &#8196; ::&#8196; &#8196; &#8196; ::&#8196; &#8196; &#8196; NEW YORK</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='chapter ph1'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div>EM’S HUSBAND</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER I<br> <span class='c006'>TO THE ISLAND</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>On the cliff-bounded stream!</div>
+      <div class='line'>When it is summer noon,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And all the land is still,</div>
+      <div class='line'>But on the water’s face</div>
+      <div class='line'>The merry breeze is playing,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Whitening a ripple here and there.</div>
+      <div class='line in30'><span class='sc'>H. Alford.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>The pretty <i>White Dove</i> lay rocking at its moorings. It
+was gray on the outside and white within, and as clean
+and nice as any little boat need be.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias handed his young passenger into it, and made
+her very comfortable on a seat in the stern.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then he loosened the chain of the boat, spread the snowy
+sail to the breeze, took the tiller in his hand and steered for
+the island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They had a beautiful run down the river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The clear bosom of the water, reflecting the brilliant
+morning sky with its sunlit clouds, displayed all the blending
+rainbow hues of rose, violet, azure, gold and green.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The shore on the right hand was a wide range of high,
+undulating, wooded hills, rising one behind the other until
+their outlines were melted amid the vapors of the distant
+western horizon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The shore on the left hand was a wall of lofty, rugged,
+moss-studded cliffs, whose tops were lost among the clouds.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>Before them, down the river, lay the lovely isle, with its
+girdle of green trees, from the midst of which arose its
+velvety green hill, crowned with its airy palace, whose high,
+white walls and many crystal windows flashed and sparkled
+in the sunshine.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how heavenly the country is!” exclaimed Em. “I
+always thought it was beautiful, but I never dreamed it was
+so divine!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You come from the city, honey?” inquired the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, but I never want to go back to it,” answered Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ay, ay! I never was in a city in my life. Dey say how
+‘De Lord made de country and man made de town.’ Do
+yer think dat is true, honey?” asked ’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I <i>do</i>,” said Em., decidedly. “And if you could see
+a town you’d think so, too.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, honey, I has libbed in dis yer sublunatic speer a
+hundred and fifty years, more or <i>less</i>, and nebber sot eyes
+on a city, nor likewise a town. But I libs in hopes to see
+one, or both, ’fore ebber I ’parts for de glory land,” said
+old ’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. did not reply; indeed she scarcely heard his words,
+as her whole attention was fixed upon the lovely isle, to
+whose shore they were now approaching so near that the
+velvety green hill, crowned with its glittering white mansion,
+was slowly sinking out of sight behind the beautiful
+girdle of silver maple trees that encircled it like a halo of
+soft light.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here we is, honey,” said old ’Sias, as he drew down
+the little sail, and, taking an oar, pushed the boat up among
+a shoal of white water-lilies that surrounded the shores.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then ’Sias moved the <i>White Dove</i> to a water-post, and
+got out and offered his hand to his passenger, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Jump for it, honey, so as to clear de wet sand and
+light wid dry feet on de rock here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. followed his direction and landed dry-shod.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then they picked their way over a bank of violets and
+pansies, snow-drops and other wild flowers, and then
+through a thicket of eglantines, sweet-briers, and wild roses,
+and honeysuckles, and next through a grove of acacias or
+flowering locusts, and finally through the belt of silver
+maples and then up the verdant hill, that was beautifully
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>laid off in groves of fragrant, flowering trees, adorned with
+statues, arbors and fountains; in parterres of the most
+brilliant and odoriferous shrubs and flowers; and in green
+terraces, rising one above another, and reached by white
+stone steps and leading quite up to the colonnaded porch
+of the glistening white mansion, with its many sparkling,
+crystal windows and its balconies, verandas and porches.
+Around the white columns that supported the piazzas were
+twined the most beautiful and fragrant rose-vines and
+climbing plants.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was a place of more than ideal beauty; it was a home
+of paradisiacal loveliness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was no dreamy solitude now, however. On the highest
+terrace in front of the house were seated about seventy
+persons, of both sexes and all ages, colors and conditions—a
+very small congregation, but making up in devout attention
+for what they lacked in numbers, as they listened
+silently, with upturned, intent faces, to the preacher, who
+was concealed from the newcomers by an intervening, rose-wreathed
+column.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am afraid we are late,” whispered Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, we is. The sermon is begun. We sha’n’t
+hear de tex’ ’less he repeats it, which he may; but what we
+will hear will be wort’ comin’ for, I tell yer. Hush, honey;
+come ’long here. Here’s a good seat, and right good view ob
+de preacher, too.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. took the seat indicated on the broad pedestal of a
+group of statuary, representing Faith, Hope and Charity,
+that stood on the second terrace. Her position was a little
+below the crowd, but gave her a plenty of space and a good
+view of the preacher.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And that preacher! How shall I be able to present him
+vividly before my readers—that blind orator of the wilderness,
+who labored among the few—the poor and the ignorant—but
+who ought to have had a world-wide field and
+fame.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He stood on the highest step of the stairs leading up to
+the colonnaded piazza in front of the house, so facing his
+audience. He was a man of colossal stature, with the shoulders
+of Hercules and the beauty of Apollo. His face was
+of the pure Grecian type, and his countenance was full of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>intellect, majesty and tenderness. The top of his head was
+high, spherical and perfectly bald, but a fringe of golden
+hair at the back of his neck came around and almost
+touched the flow of golden beard that fell from chin to
+bosom. His eyes were blue, large, full, clear and wonderfully
+brilliant and mobile! He was dressed in a white linen
+coat and white duck trousers, and wore white morocco slippers
+on his feet. He stood by a great white marble vase,
+from which an almond tree grew, and he rested his left hand
+upon the vase. That was the only support he had.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>With parted lips, suspended breath and rapt attention
+Em. gazed on the stranger. She had never seen so god-like
+a man. That the magnificent form should have been struck
+with paralysis seemed incredible; that those splendid,
+radiant, soaring eyes, with their flying glances and rapt
+gaze, should be blind seemed impossible.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. could scarcely believe it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I should think they had light enough <i>within</i> them to
+see in the dark; that they would never need the sun as we
+do,” she whispered in awe-struck tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That’s what we all say, honey. He has the light <i>inside</i>
+of his eyes. But he is stone blind for all that, honey.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hush! hush! Let me hear <i>him</i>,” said Em., as she bent
+her whole attention upon the preacher.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He had evidently got well on in his sermon before the
+late arrival of these last comers. They had not heard his
+text, but they soon comprehended his subject. It was threefold—</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Faith, Love, Works.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>I shall not risk spoiling the blind preacher’s sermon by
+attempting any report of it here. I will only say that in
+simple, eloquent words, which went directly to every heart,
+he explained to them—</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>How Faith without Love was cold, and either, or both,
+without Works, dead. How Faith and Love must go forth
+in good uses; must go forth, through brain, heart and hand
+in good thoughts, good feelings and good deeds to all.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He told them it was not enough we should cease to <i>do</i>
+ill to our neighbor, but we should cease to <i>speak</i> ill, or
+even to <i>think</i> ill of him. We should do good to him or do
+nothing; speak well of him or be silent; think the best of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>him or not at all; that thus, by the Lord’s help, we should
+come into the life of Faith, Hope and Charity—the life
+of love to the Lord and the neighbor, in which all men
+should live in this world, and in which all should wish to
+enter the world beyond.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He told them the vast significance of this word
+“neighbor”; how it had reached from the highest created
+being to the lowest; how he who “needlessly set foot upon
+a worm,” sinned in the same manner, if not in the same
+degree, as he who tortured or sacrificed a hero or a martyr.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He begged them to take this truth home with them that
+all might be the better and the happier for it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The sermon was followed by a fervent prayer, an inspiring
+hymn, in which nearly all the congregation joined, and
+lastly, by the benediction.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. saw the blind preacher raise his radiant face toward
+heaven to invoke the blessing, and she reverently bowed
+her head until he had ceased to speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When she lifted it to look at him again he had disappeared
+and his hearers were dispersing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. turned inquiring eyes upon old Josias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He’s only dropped down in his chair, behind the rose-vines,
+honey. Dat’s allers de way. ’Pears like arter de
+benediction he gibs right out,” the old man explained.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And you tell me that man is blind? ’Sias, I cannot
+realize it! Blind! Why, ’Sias, how <i>could</i> he be blind when,
+at several places in his sermon that suited my case, he
+looked me right straight in the eyes as if he pointed his
+words directly to me? How could he know I sat there unless
+he could see me? How could he see me unless he had
+sight, and very excellent sight, too?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Honey, I don’t know. Dat’s what ’stonishes us all; for
+dat’s de way he looks at us all, right in our eyes, right into
+our hearts, too. I dunno how it is. He is stone blind, dat
+is sartain sure, and yet he talks to yer wid his eyes as plain
+as anybody can speak. Maybe, honey, <i>his soul’s eyes sees
+your soul</i>; for he told us in one of his sermons how we was
+all souls that had bodies to live in; and not bodies that had
+souls; and how our souls were ourselves, and our bodies
+only our houses of flesh, our clothing, our instrument, that
+we were always using up and wearing out and having to repair
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>by eating and drinking and breathing; but how we
+ourselves never did wear out.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I should like to have heard that,” said Em., with a
+hungry look in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“’Nother time, honey, what do yer think he said? It
+was a hard sayin’ for us poor sinners, now I tell yer! He
+said the hardest resurrection was the resurrection of our
+souls out of de death of selfishness.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While the two had sat talking all the rest of the rural
+congregation had separated and gone down by the various
+paths leading from the hill to the shores of the island, all
+around which, at various landings, their boats were moored.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length the old man arose and put on his hat, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, honey.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Uncle ’Sias, don’t you think we might walk up
+these steps and walk around the beautiful rose-wreathed
+piazza and see the lovely oriel windows and balconies?” inquired
+Em. in a coaxing voice.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sartin sure, honey! Come along!” replied the good-natured
+old fellow, leading the way.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Up they went to the elegant porch with its rows of white
+stone pillars, wreathed around with climbing red and white
+roses, all in full bloom, on the outer side, and adorned with
+rows of crystal windows on the inner side. These windows
+had white shutters that closed within the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked at these closed shutters with the curiosity and
+longing of Blue Beard’s wife when the latter contemplated
+the closed chamber.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Would you like to see inside de house, honey?” demanded
+the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! would I not?” exclaimed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, den you can, honey. De lady as owns it is the
+most free-hearted lady as ebber you seed. She lets anybody
+walk ober and ober de island, and t’rough and t’rough de
+house—less she dere herse’f, honey—den, to be sure, she
+’serves her private rooms. You sit down here, honey, at de
+front door and wait for me, and I’ll go round to de housekeeper’s
+room, which I knows her, and she’ll let you see de
+house if she can at my recommend.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, thank you, dear Uncle ’Sias. I will wait here joyfully
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>until you come back,” eagerly exclaimed Emolyn, as
+she seated herself on the threshold of the front door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man went down the front and around to the
+rear of the premises, while Em., sitting on the threshold
+of this fairy palace, let her delighted eyes rove around over
+rose-wreathed pillars, vine-clad balconies, oriel windows,
+trellised terraces, flowery lawns, fountains, statues, lakelets,
+groves and sparkling rivulets running down to the river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After a short absence the old man returned with a single
+key in his hand, saying, as he twirled it in his fingers:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I can show you de hall and de grand saloon, honey, and
+de drawing-rooms and library, which are all on dis floor
+at dis front ob de house; but all de oder rooms are closed
+and can’t be shown.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is the lady at home, then?” inquired Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, honey.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then why may we not see the whole of the house?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I dunno, chile; I didn’t ax her,” replied ’Sias, who was
+not so much interested in the mystery as was the young
+questioner.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>By this time he had slowly unlocked and opened the front
+door, admitting them into the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>This hall was circular in shape, spacious in size and lofty
+in height, reaching from the inlaid white marble floor to the
+crystal dome that formed the roof and lighted the whole
+scene. Around the polished white walls of this fair circle
+were doorways, hung with curtains of blue silk and white
+lace, leading into many lovely rooms.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old guide beckoned Em. to follow him, and pulling
+aside the blue and white curtains of a doorway on his left,
+led the way into an oval-shaped saloon, with an oval window
+in front and a semi-circular mirror exactly opposite in the
+rear. This mirror was so artistically contrived that it reflected
+all the varied island scenery from the oriel window,
+and gave the saloon the appearance of being open and
+illimitable in length. This beautiful room was furnished
+entirely in white and blue—the walls being of polished
+white panels that shone like porcelain and having cornices
+of blue; the side windows and doorways draped with blue
+silk and white lace; the carpet white velvet bordered with
+blue; the chairs and sofas covered with white velvet
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>trimmed with blue; the stands and tables of pure white
+marble tops, supported on blue-veined marble pedestals; the
+statues and statuettes, both in groups and single pieces, all
+of Parian marble; the jars and vases of blue Sèvres china.
+And what was still more unique in its harmony, the pictures
+that filled up all the spaces between the side doors and
+windows were framed in frosted silver plate, and the subjects
+were all of a bright, aerial, happy type—“Spring,”
+“Morning,” “Hope,” “Youth.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em., “embarrassed with the riches” of these beauties,
+gazed in delight upon the whole room, and then began to
+examine the pictures, pausing in a rapture of admiration
+before each.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But suddenly in her progress she started, uttered a slight
+cry and stood perfectly still before a picture that hung between
+two lofty windows on the side of the saloon opposite
+to the door leading into the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was the full-length portrait of a lady, tall, elegantly
+formed, gracefully posed and clothed in white from head to
+foot; a white satin robe that fell from her rounded bust
+to her feet and drifted about them in soft white clouds;
+white satin hanging sleeves, open from the shoulders and
+half revealing the shapely arms; and over all, head, bust
+and waist, a large, flowing silver gauze veil that fell to her
+feet, half concealing, half revealing the resplendant beauty
+of the head and face with the bright, sun-gilded, auburn
+hair; with the perfect, chiseled Grecian features, the snowwhite
+complexion and large, mournful blue eyes half hidden
+under their snowy, drooping lids. The background of this
+form was a deep, cloudless, twilight sky. There was nothing
+else, nothing to divert attention from the beautiful, spiritual,
+mysterious form of the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. gazed upon it with breathless attention. It was not
+the spiritual beauty and mystery of this veiled figure alone
+that fixed her gaze—it was the “counterfeit presentment”
+of the moonlight apparition she had seen in the old hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Whose portrait is this?” she demanded in low, breathless
+tones of the old man, who had come to her side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I dunno, honey, ’less it’s de White Spirit’s. Seems like
+it might be, from all accounts of her,” replied ’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. said no more, but remained gazing fixedly at the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>picture, as she would not have dared to gaze at the apparition.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Yes, it was the very same form! the very same features!
+the same sunlit, auburn tresses! the same pure, clear-cut,
+alabaster profile! the same large, drooping blue eyes—even
+the same flowing silver gauze veil and white satin robe!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. shivered, half in terror, half in admiration, and felt
+for the moment as if she should lose her reason.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias waited with exemplary patience, but as minute
+after minute passed and the young girl stood there as
+motionless as if she had “taken root,” the old man thought
+proper at last to break the spell by saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, honey, it’s getting on to two o’clock. If yer want
+to see de drawing-rooms and de library and de boody we’d
+better be a-movin’.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, I will not look at anything else this morning,” said
+Em., with her eyes still fixed upon the picture.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In his surprise old ’Sias stared at the spellbound girl,
+and then suddenly uttered a loud exclamation that startled
+even her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, what is the matter, Uncle ’Sias?” she inquired,
+turning sharply around.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, my law, honey!” cried the old man, staring first
+at her and then at the picture.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What is it, then?” she repeated.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, honey, de <i>likeness</i>! <i>de ’strornary likeness!</i>” exclaimed
+the amazed old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What likeness, Uncle ’Sias?” inquired Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“’Twixt you and de picter, honey!—’twixt you and de
+picter! Let alone de diffunce in de clo’s, de picter is de
+image ob yer, honey! de same face, de same eyes, de same
+hair! Well, law, I nebber did see such a likeness ’twixt
+two in all de days ob my life!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Is</i> the picture so much like me? How strange,” said
+Em. in perplexity as she gazed at the portrait and tried to
+remember how her own face looked in the glass; but could
+not do so.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Like</i> yer, honey? Well, chile, I has libbed in dis yer
+sublunatic speer for a hund’ed and fifty year, more or less,
+honey, more or less, an’ I nebber see no sech a likeness before,
+dere!” solemnly replied the old negro.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>“It is very wonderful! but everything about the picture
+and—the lady, too—is wonderful,” said Em., as her mind
+reverted to the apparition of the night previous.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, honey, I d’want to hurry yer; but de time is
+gettin’ on, an’ Sereny—I promised of her to get back to
+dinner at two o’clock, honey, an’ Sereny do have sich a
+wiolent temper!” said old ’Sias uneasily.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sereny?” questioned Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, Sereny; that’s my wife, my second one,
+chile, not my fust one, as has passed away to de gloryland
+long ago, dough she wasn’t nuffin nigh as old as I was; no,
+honey, Sereny is my young wife as I took las’ year to keep
+me warm in my ole age—accordin’ to King David and
+Abishey, honey, and true nuff, she <i>do</i> keep me warm—wid
+her temper and her tongue, let alone de broomstick and de
+hoe-helve, honey! An’ ef I don’t get home by two o’clock,
+chile, I shall get hoe-helve ’stead of hoe-cake for dinner,
+mine I tell you!” said the old man, sighing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, let us hurry, then, and get back. I would not bring
+you into trouble for anything in this world! But why do
+you let a young woman treat a man of your venerable age
+so disrespectfully and cruelly?” exclaimed Em., as she
+turned to follow her conductor from the saloon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, dare’s jes’ where it is! It’s <i>’cause</i> ob my wenerable
+ole age! I’m de weakest—in de body, honey! in de
+body! not in de mine! And she’s de strongest—in de body,
+honey! in de body! not in de mine! and so she gets de better
+ob me! And serb me right, too, come to think ob it! I
+had no business to take Sereny! I wa’n’t no King David!
+And she had no business to take me, which she did ’sake
+ob libbin’ in de purty gate-lodge, so much purtier dan de
+log cabins de odder colored folks lib in. But she keeps me
+warm—dat’s so—wid de broomstick and de hoe-helve!
+But, patience! it can’t las’ forebber, and some ob dese days
+I shall go to sleep down here an’ wake up in de glory land,
+where my <i>own</i> ole ’oman is waitin’ for me,” concluded ’Sias
+as he carefully locked the outside door; and then he went
+slowly down the steps and around to the rear of the premises
+to restore the key to the housekeeper.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. remained standing where he had left her, with her
+eyes fixed upon the ground, in a deep reverie, which continued
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>unbroken until the return of the old man, saying as
+he came up: “Now, den, honey, for de boat.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. followed him down through the terraced grounds,
+with their arbors, statues, fountains, parterres of flowers,
+groves and ponds, and then through the wood of silver
+maples, and the fragrant, blooming wood of acacias, to the
+sandy shore, where sat the little <i>White Dove</i> brooding on
+the waters.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. entered the boat and seated herself in the stern.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man followed her, hoisted the sail, and took the
+tiller in his hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Leaving the lovely island behind he headed up stream
+and steered for the Valley of the Wilderness. Now their
+course lay half way between the river shores, having the
+lofty, rugged, gray, rocky precipices on their right hand,
+and the beautiful, undulating green and wooded hills on
+their left.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Their progress was a little slower up stream than it had
+been down, and so it was near three o’clock when at length
+they landed at the foot of the little dilapidated pier belonging
+to the old boat-house of the Wilderness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias secured his boat and followed Em., who was
+hurrying along the woodland walk that led from the landing
+through the forest to the park gate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, it is late. Sereny’ll be wiolent, I tell yer!”
+said ’Sias as he came up quite breathlessly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. heard him, and wondered how she might save the
+poor old man from suffering at the hands of his Xantippe.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length, without stopping in her hurried walk, she unpinned
+a pretty new neck-tie that she wore on her white
+dress, smoothed out the folds and rolled it up, saying to
+herself:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Bright blue ribbons must be rare luxuries of dress in
+this Wilderness, and if it does not mollify the temper of
+Madame Sereny, I do not know what will!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They reached the park gate at last and passed through.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And there, sure enough, at the door of the lodge stood
+the tall, handsome mulatto woman called, or rather miscalled,
+Serena.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A heavy thunder-cloud was on her brow.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Her little, old, black dwarf of a husband shrank behind
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>Em., who walked smilingly up to the woman, saying
+frankly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“See what I have brought you, as a testimonial of my
+gratitude to your husband for taking me to the island to
+hear the blind preacher.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And with these words she placed the bright blue scarf
+in the woman’s hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Serena smiled, showing all her large, white, regular
+ivories, and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanky, Miss. How purty! Dere ain’t sich a scaff
+in de whole county as dis! ’Deed, I’m ebber so much
+obleeged to yer! Won’t yer come in an’ res’?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, I thank you. I have to hurry home to my father
+and mother,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, dat’s right, too! Be dutiful to yer parients.
+Thanky agin, Miss! And if ebber, so be, yer want my ’Sias
+to take yer a rowin’ or a sailin’, he’ll <i>do</i> it, or I’ll know the
+reason why he <i>don’t</i>. Come in, ’Sias, honey, yer dinner’s
+all ready for yer,” concluded Sereny in a tone of such good
+will that the old man smilingly followed her into the lodge,
+while Em. hurried home feeling that all was well.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER II<br> <span class='c006'>THE AGENT</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>A man in middle age.</div>
+      <div class='line'>Busy, and hard to please.       <span class='sc'>Taylor.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Well, runaway! Where have you been all the morning?”
+briskly inquired John Palmer as he ran down the
+front steps to meet his favorite daughter as she came up
+the heavily-shaded avenue.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To a lovely island down the river, father, to hear a—heavenly
+minister!” exclaimed Em. with a burst of enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And then, as they strolled leisurely on to the house, she
+gave him, after the manner of young girls, a rapid, impetuous,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>and graphic description of her morning’s adventures
+and discoveries.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“An Edengarden and a White Spirit! Wery fantastical
+names, Em. And, I reckon, just some of old ’Si’s yarns,”
+quietly observed John as they entered the hall, where Susan
+and old Monica were busy setting the table and preparing
+the frugal dinner.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Gracious, Em., you’ve been away all day, and if it had
+not been for that little black boy—Si’, he said his name
+was—a coming and telling me you had gone to a preaching
+with his grandfather, I shouldn’t a known what had become
+o’ you,” said Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I wouldn’t have gone without sending you word,
+mother. And, oh! as soon as ever we get quiet I have got
+<i>so</i> much to tell you,” answered Em., as she took the loaf of
+bread out of the good woman’s hand and began to cut it in
+slices for the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The hall at this hour presented a very pleasant scene,
+both the front and the back doors being open and admitting
+a free current of the fresh summer air, laden with the
+fragrance of the wild woods which grew closely all around
+the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>From the midst of the hall arose that grand staircase
+with its lofty window at the top, forevermore mysterious
+and memorable to Em. from the ghostly vision of the night
+before.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now, however, it looked a homely and familiar household
+object enough, with the three little girls, Molly, Nelly and
+Venny running up and down its richly-carpeted steps or
+sliding on the balustrades.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked up at the high window and at such doors
+in the upper hall as came within the range of her sight,
+and with a natural curiosity, wondered into what manner
+of places they led.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mother,” she at length inquired, “have you looked into
+any of the rooms above there?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, child, nor the rooms below, either. There hasn’t
+been a door opened anywhere except into this hall. It is
+Sunday, you know, and neither me nor your father believe
+in doing any more work than we can help on this day, even
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>if we have just arrived at a strange place,” replied Susan
+Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. fell into silent and self-reproachful thought, wondering
+whether she had not committed a sin and broken the
+Sabbath by going to look at the lovely white palace on the
+island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t you like to live here, Em.? Ain’t it jolly? Ain’t
+this a splendid old hall? I would like to stay here always,
+even if they didn’t give us any more of the house to live in
+than just this. Wouldn’t you?” inquired her youngest
+brother, Tom, who had just come in with a pail of fresh
+water from the well.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, it’s bully! It’s like a picnic or camp-meeting what
+Aunt Monica used to tell us about,” chimed in Ned, who
+was piling up a little heap of brush in a corner.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I hope they’ll let us stay just here, where we can slide on
+the banisters all day long,” sung out little Nelly from her
+perch on the stairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Them children will break their necks! John, can’t you
+make them come down and behave themselves? They don’t
+mind me one bit!” cried out Mrs. Palmer, pausing in the
+midst of slicing cold ham.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lor’, Susan, woman, young uns is like kittens and
+monkeys. It is their natur’ to climb. ‘Sich is life;’ and
+it’s cruel to perwent ’em; besides, these poor things never
+had a chance to climb in all their lives before.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And now they’ll go it, you may depend! They’ll be
+swarming up all these trees like bees before the week is out
+if you encourage them so.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I hope they will. It will do ’em good. ‘Sich is
+life,’” concluded aggravating John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All this time Em. had made no remark, but was silently
+putting the dinner on the table. It was a cold dinner of
+bread, butter, ham, pies and well water; for neither Susan
+nor John would have any cooking done on Sunday.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think I like this gypsy sort of life myself,” said John
+as he began to drag the heavy, high-backed oaken chair
+from the wall up to the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They were all about to sit down to dinner when they
+were interrupted by the sudden entrance of a little, elderly,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>dark-skinned man with snapping black eyes, a brisk manner,
+a quick step and a short tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All the family started up.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Sich is life,’” said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well-well-well!” the intruder exclaimed, running his
+words together in swift repetition. “Well-well-well! So
+here you are at last! So here you are at last!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir,” said John Palmer, rising and saluting the
+stranger who had taken him so much by surprise. “Yes,
+sir, we reached here all right. You are the agent of the
+property, I presume, sir—Mr. Comical?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Car</i>-michael, man! <i>Car</i>-michael! But what the deuce
+are you doing here in the grand hall? Grand hall—grand
+hall—grand hall! Eh-eh-eh?” quickly demanded the brisk
+little man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Excuse me, sir. ‘Sich is life.’ We are doing no harm.
+We reached here last night too late to do anything more
+than to throw ourselves down here. This being the Sabbath day,
+we could not make a change without breaking the
+commandment; but to-morrow we will go into the quarters
+provided for us, if you will kindly direct us where they
+are,” said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I see! I see! I see! And meantime you are cooking
+your dinners on the very hearths where the old cavalier lords
+of the manor used only to roast their own shins! Well-well-well!
+I suppose it can’t be helped for to-day—to-day—to-day!”
+replied the nervous little old man with rapid reiteration.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You have likely had a long ride this morning, sir.
+Won’t you sit up and take some dinner?” inquired John
+politely.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thank you! Yes-yes-yes! I believe I will! I believe
+I will!” said the agent frankly, taking the chair that one
+of the boys vacated for him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is my wife, sir,” said John, indicating the good
+woman at the head of the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes-yes-yes! So I should have supposed! I hope you
+are very well, ma’am!” exclaimed the quick visitor, and
+then, without waiting for an answer, he turned to his host,
+and pointing with his fork to Mrs. Whitlock, said: “And
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>the other respectable old party, your mother-in-law?
+mother-in-law? mother-in-law?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, though she do lectur’ me to that extent, she might
+as well be,” laughed John as he resumed his place at the
+foot of the table and helped his guest to ham.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well-well-well!” said the agent after he had taken the
+edge off his appetite with several slices of bread and ham.
+“Well-well! as your conscience will not permit you to move
+on Sunday, and as I can’t stay here till Monday, I’ll just
+indicate where you are to lodge yourself and family. It is
+in the rear of the manor-house. We call it The Red Wing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir, I know exactly the place you mean. It is just
+under the shadow of the mountain and is built of a different
+colored stone from the rest of the house—a red stone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes-yes-yes! Very fine specimen of old red sandstone,
+while the main building is of blue limestone. You’ll do,
+you’ll do, you’ll do! And now I will give you this paper,
+which contains full instructions as to your duties here, and
+I will leave it with you for reference,” said the agent, handing
+over to John a very formidable looking document in a
+long, yellow envelope, tied with red tape.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will study this to-morrow morning,” said Palmer,
+stowing it away in the breast pocket of his coat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will rest here until the heat of the day is over, and
+then leave my horse here and take a fresh one and return-return-return,”
+said the agent as they all arose from the
+table when the frugal meal was ended.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Leaving the women to clear away the table, John Palmer
+and his guest walked down on the front lawn, if lawn that
+could be called which was so thickly covered with trees as
+to be only the skirt of the deep forest that lay between the
+house and the river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You spoke about your horse. I hope he is taken care
+of, sir. If so it had a been that I had knowed when you
+first came I’d a taken care of him myself,” said Palmer
+apologetically.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, don’t bother, don’t bother!” exclaimed the visitor
+as he threw himself down at full length under one of the
+large shade trees, took a pipe and pouch of tobacco from
+his pocket, filled and lighted the pipe from a match, and
+began to smoke, continuing to talk between his whiffs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>“Bless you, man, I’m more at home here, more at home,
+more at home than you are. I just rode around to the
+stable, gave my horse to Seth, the head groom, and then
+walked on to the house. The horse belongs here. I have
+none of my own, none of my own; but I have the privilege
+of using these, using these. I shall take a fresh one, a fresh
+one, a fresh one, when I go back. But, sit down, man, sit
+down, sit down. I want to talk to you about something
+else, and it tires me to see you standing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John seated himself under the tree at some little distance
+from the agent, who then, lowering his tone, inquired:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Slept in the house last night, didn’t you? Slept in the
+house, slept in the house?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied John. “I told you so, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes-yes-yes-yes! So you did! Hem! See anything
+unusual?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sir?” inquired John in a bewilderment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“See anything unsual—unusual—unusual?” rapidly reiterated
+the little man, fixing his keen black eyes on Palmer’s
+face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I beg pardon. I—I don’t understand,” said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Any disturbance in the night—any fright-fright-fright?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Not in the least. But now that reminds me that the
+same question was asked by old ’Si, the gate-porter, this
+morning! But I answered him as I answer you: nothing
+disturbed us. As far as I know we all slept like tops—we
+always do. What <i>should</i> have disturbed us?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nothing-nothing-nothing! Bats, mice, wind! Nothing
+more, <i>I</i> verily believe! But there are a lot of idiots who
+have got a story up about the old manor-house being
+haunted-haunted-haunted!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Rubbish!” said John with all the strong contempt of a
+practical man for the supernatural.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So I say, so I say.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I wish, for all that, no one would hint any sich a
+thing to the women and girls. It might trouble them.
+‘Sich is life.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No-no-no-no! But even if such a rumor should reach
+their ears it need not alarm them. It is only the old manor-house
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>that the fools say is full of ghosts, ghosts, ghosts!
+Not the wing, not the wing!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While the two men talked together they perceived the
+slow approach of some figure through the trees, which soon
+revealed itself to be old ’Sias, the gatekeeper.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, well, old man, what do you want? What do you
+want?” demanded the agent, ill-pleased at the intrusion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nothing werry particular, marster; only to pay my dispects
+to yer, sar, and I no more knowin’ as you was here till
+dat boy Seth told me! I nebber was more s’prised in my
+life, no, not since I was a boy, and dat wa’n’t yes’day,
+marster! Dat must a been a hundred and fifty year ago,
+more or less!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Humph-humph-humph! To hear <i>you</i> talk, old man,
+one would think you might remember Noah’s flood,” said
+the agent.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, no, marster, not quite: but <i>I</i> s’pects my grand-daddy
+did; ’caze I has heerd him ’scribe it, when he was a
+little boy,” gravely replied the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes-yes-yes. I see! Mendacity comes to you quite legitimately,
+handed down from father to son,” said the
+agent.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sar, so it do indeed, marster, sar, and few colored
+fam’lies is as much favored in dat ’spect as ours,” said old
+’Sias so innocently that the agent looked half ashamed of
+himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>To change the subjects, as well as to utilize the old man,
+Mr. Carmichael said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, now that you are here, ’Sias, do me the favor to
+walk down to the stable and tell Seth to saddle Saladin for
+me, and bring him around here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, marster, wid de greatest pleasure in life,” said
+’Sias, moving off.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And here-here-here! Come back here! Here’s a dollar
+for a present to buy tobacco pipes with,” added Carmichael,
+thrusting the broad silver coin in his hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanky, marster, a thousand times, and I hab the hoss
+round here for yer in no time. T’anks be to goodness,
+Sereny don’t know nuffin’ ’tall ’bout my habbin’ ob <i>dis</i>
+money! Ain’t me and her been in de way ob getting presents
+to-day? She a sky-blue scarf, and me dis here dollar!
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>But, dere! I ain’t a gwine to let Sereny know nuffin’ ’tall
+’bout dis here dollar. ’Cause if I did—hush, honey!—she’d
+dance a war-dance ’round me, and scalp de top o’ my head
+off but what she’d hab every blessed cent ob it,” muttered
+the old man to himself as he carefully stowed away his
+prize in the lowest recesses of his trowsers’ pocket and hurried
+away down a little foot-path leading through the
+thicket in the direction of the stables.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While waiting for his horse the agent occupied the
+time in giving the new overseer some general information
+about the situation. He told Palmer that the Wilderness
+Manor had always been in the possession of the Elphine
+family; but that the last male descendant of the race had
+suddenly left the house on the marriage of his cousin, many,
+many years before, and had lived abroad; that very lately
+he had died in Paris, unmarried and intestate, and the
+manor had fallen to the only daughter of that cousin whose
+marriage he had taken in such high dudgeon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He went on to say that this lady—whose confidential
+agent he, Peter Carmichael, was—had come in person to
+visit her new inheritance, and finding the old manor-house
+going to ruin from neglect, she had directed him to find a
+suitable family to take charge of it; and that he had advertised
+and found the present family, with whom, he added,
+he was very well “pleased-pleased-pleased.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He concluded by saying that he was a lawyer by profession
+and a bachelor by choice, and that he lived at the Red
+Deer Hotel in the town of Greyrock, about thirty miles
+down the river, and that he rode up weekly to look after
+the estate, always changing horses when he went back.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then, as he saw the stable boy, Seth, coming up the narrow
+path and leading Saladin, he arose to take leave, requesting
+John Palmer to bid good-by to the family for him,
+and promising to ride over again on the ensuing Saturday.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It’ll be ten o’clock before Mr. Comical gets home, and
+he’ll have to ride fast to do that,” said John as he stepped
+into the large hall, which he found put in order for the
+night, with all the pallets spread.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Has that funny old fellow gone?” inquired Susan as
+she arose from putting the last smoothing touches on the
+children’s bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>“Yes, and he asked me to bid you all good-by for him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, now all is done here, we’ll go out and sit under
+the trees, and I hope this is the very last night we shall have
+to sleep in the hall. It is a perfectly savage way of living!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! I think it’s just <i>nice</i>!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It’s real jolly!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It’s first-rate fun!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’d rather live this way than any way!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Such was the chorus of exclamations from the children
+that answered their mother’s remarks.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Difference of opinion; but ‘sich is life,’” said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Do</i> hush your noise, Palmer! You distract me with
+your clatter!” scolded Susan as she hurried the children
+out of the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wasn’t making the least bit. She and the young uns
+was making it all, and I get the blame: ‘sich is life,’” said
+John as he followed them out.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But there was no malice in Susan Palmer’s hasty
+speeches, and her husband knew it well.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All was harmony in the family circle as they sat under
+the trees, John smoking his white clay pipe, and the children
+amusing themselves with picking the grass-flowers
+that grew thickly around them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is <i>this</i> country enough for you, Em.?” inquired John
+Palmer for the second time, as he looked at his daughter,
+who was sitting on the ground with her hands clasped
+around her knees, and with her eyes fixed upon the forest,
+through whose waving branches, glimmering here and there,
+could be caught glimpses of the distant river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, father, it is almost divine! I sometimes wonder
+if we are not all dead and in Paradise together. Maybe we
+were all suffocated in our burning house that night, you
+know, and have come to life in Paradise!” dreamily replied
+the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em., hush! you’re crazy!” <a id='t22'></a>broke in Susan Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, mother, anyway we <i>are</i> dead to the old life in
+Laundry Lane, and are risen to this,” said Em., smiling.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>That’s</i> what she means, Susan. Law, <i>I</i> understood the
+girl!” said Palmer heartily.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! I dessay you do, John, and you encourage
+her in her flights just as you do the little ones in their
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>climbing. The end of which will be you will have a crazy
+girl and three or four crippled children!” chimed in Ann
+Whitlock.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No wonder Mr. Comical took her for my mother-in-law!”
+muttered John to himself. “And now I come to
+think of it, it is all providential—having no mother-in-law
+of my own, Mrs. Whitlock fell right into the place to fill
+up the wacancy! ‘Sich is life!’”  laughed John to himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They sat out under the trees until their early bedtime,
+and then they all returned to the house. The women and
+children entered first and retired, and then the man and
+the boys.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em., not wishing a repetition of her last night’s experience,
+had made her pallet in the rear of the grand staircase,
+and close by the back door, which was left wide open for air.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As usual with this hard-working and healthy family, as
+soon as their heads dropped upon their pillows they fell fast
+asleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Even Em.—who would have kept her eyes open if she
+could, for the pleasure of looking out from her pallet
+through the open door upon the waving trees, the gray rocks
+beyond and the starlit sky above, soon succumbed to fatigue
+and slept soundly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The vigils of the last night and the exertions of the past
+day had completely exhausted the girl, and produced a
+prolonged sleep of many hours.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It must have been very near day when at last she calmly
+opened her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The moon was shining over the top of the mountain and
+down through the waving trees and making their shadows
+dance upon the floor of the hall and on the white quilt of
+Em.’s pallet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All else was still in the place.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is beautiful, beautiful,” said the girl, watching the
+graceful shadows of the leaves dance and fly over her outspread
+hands. She knew the moon was also shining through
+the lofty window at the head of the stairs and flooding the
+stairway and front hall with light where she had seen the
+radiant vision of the night. She felt glad that she had
+moved her pallet, for she thought that visions would not be
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>likely to appear anywhere else except in that splendor of
+light.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Hush! What was that?</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Her ears had caught the sound of a soft foot-fall approaching,
+accompanied by the slight <i>swish</i> of a trailing
+garment along the floor. The sound drew nearer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Horror of horrors! What is this?</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No radiant form of light now! but a demon of darkness
+from the pit! a tall figure shrouded in black from head to
+foot, with a muffled face of which nothing could be seen but
+a pair of fierce, dark eyes that seemed to shine and gleam
+by their own fires!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em.’s blood curdled in her heart; she tried to cry out!
+to spring up! to fly for her life! but she could neither
+move, speak, nor breathe!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The terrible form drew nearer, stood beside her pallet,
+stooped over her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>That was too much, and the girl swooned with horror.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER III<br> <span class='c006'>THE RED WING</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Face to face with the true mountains,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Standing silently and still,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Drawing strength from fancy’s dauntings,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>From the air about the hill,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And from nature’s open mercies,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>And most debonair good will.</div>
+      <div class='line in26'><span class='sc'>E. B. Browning.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>When Em. recovered her consciousness it was broad daylight,
+and the old hall and the woods around it were full of
+the jubilant sounds of awakening life.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John and his two boys had slipped out to wash and dress
+themselves in the back premises, leaving the hall to the sole
+possession of the women and girls.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. instantly recollected her frightful vision of the
+night; but, true to her resolution of silence on the subject
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>of the haunted house, she refrained from speaking of it,
+while she inwardly thanked Heaven that she had passed her
+very last night in the ghostly hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She arose with alacrity, rolled up her pallet, and put it
+out of the way, dressed herself and began to assist her
+mother in clearing up the hall for breakfast. It was a lively
+scene, like the general getting up in the morning from the
+cabin of a steamboat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, my girl, you overdid yourself yesterday, you did!
+You look as pale as a ghost this morning! Just go and sit
+down in that arm-chair, and don’t attempt to do a hand’s
+turn to-day,” said Susan Palmer on seeing her daughter’s
+pallid countenance and languid air.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But Em. declared that she was able to work, and begged
+to be allowed to do her share.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The hall was quickly set in order. John and the boys
+brought in wood and water; old Monica kindled the fire;
+Mrs. Whitlock filled the kettle; Susan Palmer set the table;
+and Em. cut the bread and meat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As “many hands make labor light,” the breakfast was
+soon prepared, and, with the keen appetite bestowed by the
+pure mountain air, it was soon consumed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As they were about to rise from the table a shadow
+crossed the front door and the odd little figure of the old
+gatekeeper entered the hall, and in such a plight that his
+appearance was greeted with a general exclamation from the
+company present; but before any one could ask a question
+the old man walked up to the new overseer and said meekly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If yer please, Marster John, Mr. Comical, as he passed
+out de gate yes’day, tole me to come up here dis mornin’ and
+help yer to get righted, and show you t’rough de Red Wing,
+case you couldn’t find your own way.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you, ’Si; your help will be very acceptable. But,
+man alive, what’s happened to you?” inquired John, gazing
+with surprise and pity on the battered veteran who stood
+there with his clothes torn to ribbons, his eye black, his nose
+swelled, and his scalp bleeding from where a lock of hair
+had been pulled out by the roots.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He looks as if he had been blowed up by a steam-boiler!”
+said Tom.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Or run over by a locomotive,” added Ned.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>“He looks to me more as if he had had an interview
+with a wild cat,” suggested Em., half in pity, half in humor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But what on earth <i>is</i> the matter with you, man?” repeated
+John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, ver see, marster, Sereny has been performin’ on
+me,” quietly replied ’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>What?</i>” demanded John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sereny has been performin’ on me, sar. Dancin’ of a
+war-dance over me, marster; it is Sereny’s little way she
+has, Marster John. Only, dis time ’pears like she has scalp’
+me worse ’an I ebber was scalp’ since I was a boy, and dat
+was a hundred and fifty years ago, marster, more or less,
+more or less, sar.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But who the mischief is Sereny?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My young wife, marster; dat young yaller gal yer might
+see at de gate-house any time passing,” meekly replied old
+’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But what on earth did she abuse you for?” demanded
+John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Marster, yer know dat dollar yer see Mr. Comical gib
+me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, marster, dat Sereny hab got a nose like a rat-terrier
+for smellin’ out things. Jes’ ’cause Mr. Comical
+come on a visit to de place, and I went up to pay my dispects
+to him; Sereny suspicioned him gibbin’ me money, an’
+soon’s ever he was gone she up an’ ’cuse me ob it to my face,
+an’ tell me to ’liber dat money up to my lawful wife. I
+didn’t want to gib all dat money, ’cause I knowed she’d
+heabe it all away on finery, an’ sich trash, first chance she
+got, so I wouldn’t ’fess as I had any. An’ den she tried to
+sarch me, an’ I ’sisted her, an’ den she began to perform on
+me an’ dance a war-dance round me, an’ tomahawk an’ scalp
+me, an’ bein’ so much youngern stronger’n I am, she got
+the better o’ me an’ took all my money——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And left you in this condition?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sar; which it’s a little way Sereny’s had ebber since
+I married of her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But what in the world tempted an old man like you to
+take a young wife?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sar; dat’s jis’ where it is. In de old ages of my
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>pilgrimage I did take a young gal for a wife, according to
+King David and Abishey, to keep me warm in my old days—which
+warm she <i>do</i> keep me, sar, as yer may see for yerself,
+my head is all of an inf’amation now wid de warmin’
+up she gib me yes’day. An’ I offen do wonder to myself,
+thinking of my own thoughts inside of myself, how was dat
+de way young Abishey kept ole King David warm—wid de
+broomstick an’ de hoe handle, let alone sometimes de shovel
+and de tongs also,” said the old man in reflective tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I never heard that preached on, as ever I can remember;
+but now you put it to me, I should not wonder if
+it was so; for ‘sich is life,’ you see,” gravely replied John.
+And then, after a few moments of quiet thought, he added:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, ’Si, this catamount of yours shall not be let to
+clapper-claw your body off your soul! I’ll see to it ’Sias!
+I’ll see to it!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Marse John, don’t yer do no sich a thing. Don’t
+yer go interferin’ ’tween man an’ wife, ’tain’t no good! I
+don’t want no white man to interfere ’tween me an’ Sereny,
+an’ any colored ge’man try to do it—well dere! Sereny’d
+settle <i>him</i>! Now, Marse John, I is ready for any sarvice
+as yer would like to have me to do, an’ <i>able</i> for it, too!
+Dese here woun’s and bruzes is all on the outside, an’ looks
+worse dan dey feels. To be sure de head is de worse, for it
+do feel mighty hot: but den it is also mighty hard. I was
+born wid a hard head, marster, so dey used to tell me, an’
+it’s been gettin’ harder an’ harder ebery year all my life, for
+a hund’ed and fifty year, more or less, marster; till now it’s
+done got dat hard as it can stan’ even Sereny’s broomstick
+and hoe handle. So now I is ready for yer, marster,”
+cheerfully concluded this war-worn veteran.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer had taken out his paper of instructions and
+was reading them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here we are,” he exclaimed, folding up and replacing
+the document in his pocket. “Here is our first duty, in the
+first line, to open and air the house from garret to cellar,
+to build small wood fires in every chimney, to burn out the
+cobwebs and dry the dampness; afterwards to take time and
+thoroughly clean the house. Well! the opening and airing
+and fire-kindling will be enough to begin with to-day. It
+will take us until noon, and then we must move into our
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>own quarters in the Red Wing. Now, then, suppose we
+begin with the rooms on this floor? What do you say,
+Susan?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Certainly, John—unlock the doors! We are every one
+of us <i>aching</i> to see the closed parlors,” answered the woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John gave the big bunch of keys to old ’Sias, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As you know the locks better than I do, you must unlock
+the doors for us.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man selected a key, fitted it, and opened a door
+on the right hand and admitted the whole party to a long,
+dark, sombre drawing-room, whose close air and musty
+smell immediately drove the women and children back into
+the hall, leaving only John and old ’Sias to enter together.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We’ll soon alter this, ’Si,” said Palmer as he went to
+one of the front windows, threw up the sash, and with some
+effort withdrew the rusty bolts and opened the heavy shutters.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias had meanwhile pushed back the sliding doors
+across the middle of the room and was now performing the
+same service at the back windows.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And soon floods of light and currents of air poured into
+the long-disused apartment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This must have been the ball-room, from its size,” said
+John, staring down the long saloon that reached the whole
+length from front to back of the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, sar, it were mostly used for company and parties.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You can come in now, Susan; the air is good enough.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The whole troop poured into the room and began to walk
+about and stare with wide open eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The waxed oaken floor had no carpet, or a carpet of thick
+dust only. The dark, oak-paneled walls were decorated with
+a few fine pictures, one of which immediately attracted the
+attention of Em. It hung in a very rich and very dusty
+gilt frame, between the two front windows, and it reached
+from the floor to the ceiling.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was the full length, life size portrait of a lady in the
+costume of the time of Queen Elizabeth—a bright blue
+satin dress, richly embroidered with silver thread and lavishly
+trimmed with lace and decked with gems. It was
+made with the long, tight waist, full, short, puffed sleeves,
+and high, standing ruff of the period.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>The hair was dressed in large masses of ringlets on each
+temple, and surmounted by a close cap of bright blue velvet,
+embroidered with silver, edged with a row of large pearls,
+and brought down to a peak on the top of the forehead, and
+widened out in loops over each mass of curls upon the temples.
+A mantle of ermine drooped from the graceful shoulders,
+leaving bare the beautiful neck, framed in with its
+high standing ruff, and adorned with a necklace of many
+rows of pearls. Long ear-drops and broad bracelets of
+pearls completed the set. The background of the picture
+was the cushioned steps and canopied chair of a throne, and
+gleaming and glowing with crimson velvet and gold.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was a very gorgeous and brilliant picture, full of light
+and color. But it was not the rich dress, splendid jewels
+or royal surroundings of the court lady that held the eyes
+of the spellbound girl—it was the lovely face! the same in
+its delicate outlines, fair, spirituelle beauty, clear blue eyes
+and sunny hair—the very same with that of the white-veiled
+picture she had seen in the palace on the island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But how different the costume and surroundings! One,
+adorned with the most superb robes and splendid jewels in
+the magnificent court of Elizabeth.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The other, arrayed from veiled head to hidden feet in
+spotless white, with nothing but clouds for a background,
+might have been a spirit or a woman of any time or country.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Yet the faces were the same.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Uncle ’Sias,” whispered Em., “can you tell me whose
+portrait this is?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, dat’s one ob de aunt-sistresses ob de ole
+family,” answered the gatekeeper.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The <i>what</i>? The aunt-sis—Oh! do you mean ancestress?”
+inquired the puzzled girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, aunt-sistress. She were a great lady in her
+time, but it was a long, long time ago, more ’an a hund’ed
+and fifty years ago, I reckon.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! the costume of the lady shows the picture must
+be three hundred years old, and must have been brought
+from England in the earliest settlement of this country.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very likely, honey! Anyway, she were a great lady.
+Lady—less see now—what’s dat dey did call dat pictur’?
+Lady Em-Emmer-Emmerlint!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>“‘Emolyn!’” exclaimed our girl, turning and looking
+full upon the speaker.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey! dat was it! Emmerlint! <i>Lady</i> Emmerlint,
+dey called her! And now I looks at dat pictur’ right
+good, oh, my gracious me alibe, honey!” cried the old man,
+staring at the picture and then staring at Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, what’s the matter <i>now</i>?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“De likeness, honey! De mos’ ’strorna’ry likeness!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh!” exclaimed Em. suddenly, “I remember that you
+said that the portrait that you saw in the island palace was
+like me, too.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So I did, honey. Bofe is like you and like each oder,
+dough I nebber would o’ noticed it if you hadn’t been by.
+Well, it is de mos’ ’strorna’ry fing as ebber I seed since I
+was a boy, and dat was a hund’ed and fifty years ago, more
+or less, honey.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At this moment John Palmer called old ’Sias to attend
+him through the other rooms.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The whole party then left the long drawing-room, crossed
+the hall and went into the south wing, which was made up
+on this floor of family parlor, library, sitting-room, dining-room,
+and conservatory—all except the latter having paneled
+oak walls and polished oak floors, and being furnished
+with the heavy, highly ornate tables, chairs, escritoires,
+screens, and sofas of a past century.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Having thrown open all the windows in this wing the
+party proceeded up the great staircase, followed by old ’Sias,
+who, on the landing, passed the others and unlocked the
+chamber doors and opened the windows. Here were long
+suites of bed-rooms and dressing-rooms, all with the darkly
+polished oak floors and the oak-paneled walls, and heavy,
+black walnut, four-post bedsteads, with lofty canopies; and
+broad walnut presses with innumerable drawers and cupboards;
+deep, high-backed, softly-cushioned, easy chairs;
+high, semi-circular, curtained toilet tables, curious, old-fashioned
+china ewers and basins, and many other things,
+interesting from their oddity or antiquity. But everything
+was covered with dust, veiled with cobwebs, and redolent of
+must and mice.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Indeed, often, on opening a door, the intruder would be
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>startled by the rapid scuttling away of rats or mice, and
+sometimes, near a chimney, by the flitting out of a bat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>They</i> are the ghosts that haunt the house, I reckon,
+’Sias,” said John Palmer in a low voice to the old guide.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>’Sias shook his solemn old head and said nothing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. overheard the remark and shuddered. She remembered
+the radiant apparition of the first night and the horrible
+spectre of the last, and to her the whole of these vast,
+dark, dreary rooms wore a ghostly aspect.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They visited the attic and the back buildings.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And then, while the women and girls returned to the hall
+to prepare dinner, John, old ’Sias, and the boys brought
+light wood and kindled little fires in all the chimneys to
+dry the rooms and destroy the must.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And, now,” said Palmer, “we’ll get a bite of dinner
+and then go into our new home.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, marster,” replied old ’Sias; “which I hope, sar,
+you’ll find to yer satisfaction.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IV<br> <span class='c006'>RED WING</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>A rude dwelling, built by whom or when,</div>
+      <div class='line'>None of the ancient mountain people knew.</div>
+      <div class='line in38'><span class='sc'>Scott.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Red Wing was a misnomer, since it was not really a wing,
+but a separate building, on the northeast corner of the
+manor-house and much older than the old hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Tradition said that it had been erected by the Elphines
+immediately after their arrival at the Wilderness, and had
+been their dwelling for some years before the more imposing
+edifice had been raised.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Subsequently it had been used as kitchen, scullery, laundry,
+and servants’ hall and lodging.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But since the self-expatriation of the last of the Elphines
+the Red Wing, like the Old Hall, had been shut up
+and deserted.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>Now it was to be opened to accommodate the new overseer
+and his family.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All this was explained to John Palmer by old ’Sias, as
+he led the way to the house, followed by the whole party.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They left the hall by the back door, and passing through
+the back yard turned to the left, where, nearly hidden by
+high trees, and immediately under the shadow of the rocky
+precipice, stood the old Red Wing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>’Sias, going before, opened the door, entered and threw
+open all the windows to the light and air, and great need
+there was to do this, for the old Red Wing was pervaded by
+a heavier fixed air and a deeper dampness and a stronger
+smell of mould than had hung about the closed manor-house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>This building was of two stories, with cellar and attic.
+There were four rooms on each floor, with a passage running
+from front to back between them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The rooms were large, with low ceilings, broad, low windows
+and very wide fireplaces. They were filled up with
+the oldest fashioned furniture, much of it rickety and
+worm-eaten—all of it covered with dust and mould.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John, old ’Sias and the boys bestirred themselves briskly,
+brought pine cones, dried brush and other combustibles
+and quickly built fires in all the chimneys.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Marse John,” said old ’Sias, “as I’ve ’stalled you
+inter yer new house I’ll be going. It’s mos’ Sereny’s tea
+time, and I couldn’t stand another scalping.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, old man, go. You have done quite work
+enough to-day for one of your age,” said John kindly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>We’ve</i> got work enough for a week to come, cleaning up
+the old place,” exclaimed Susan Palmer when ’Sias had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Never mind, mother. There are ten of us to do it, and
+we shall soon get through; and oh, think what a lovely,
+roomy old house this is; and how beautiful outside. The
+trees overshadow the roof, and from the back windows you
+can almost stretch out your hand and touch the rocky precipice,”
+said Em., brightly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Let’s see, now,” said John, looking around himself.
+“There are four rooms on this floor. This one we are in is
+the kitchen, in course; and well supplied it is with cupboards
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>and dressers. The room next to this must be your
+bedroom, Susan, my dear, because it will be convenient to
+the kitchen, and, besides, it will save your back, running up
+and down stairs. Across the passage is two rooms—the
+front one, opposite your bedroom, must be for the parlor,
+and the back one, opposite this kitchen, for our family
+room. How rich we are in space, Susan. Plenty of space
+and air for all the family. What a blessing! Well, and
+now the four rooms upstairs. Em., you shall take your
+choice there, and have a room all to yourself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, father, if I might choose, and mother pleases, I
+would like to have the attic. It is all one great room, running
+from front to back, you know, and I don’t mind
+climbing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, then your mother must sort the four chambers
+upstairs among the children and the two old women as
+she sees fit. Now, who in the world is this?” exclaimed
+John, as a little, old colored woman, who looked like ’Sias
+in petticoats, entered the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ebenin’, mist’ess; ebenin’, marster; ebenin’, young uns.
+Hopes you’ll ’scuse me. I jus’ come to look in on y’ all,
+to see how you’re gettin’ ’long.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are quite welcome. Take a seat,” said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Who are you, and what is your name?” inquired Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’m yer Uncle ’Sias’ onliest sister, Aunt Sally, yer
+know, honey. Yes, honey, Aunt Sally; that’s my name.
+I only come to see yer all outen good will, honey. I don’t
+mean no harm, honey; I never does mean no harm. I
+never does nothin’ to nobody,” meekly explained the little
+old woman as she sank into an old-fashioned stuffed easy-chair
+that Em. placed for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are ’Sias’ sister?” inquired Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, Uncle ’Sias’ sister, honey; Aunt Sally.
+But you needn’t be feared of me, honey. I never does
+nothin’ to nobody.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You don’t look so old as ’Sias,” said John, scrutinizing
+the little, old woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, marster, you’re right, honey. ’Sias do look old
+since he married that young gal, Sereny. But he don’t
+mean no harm, honey. He never does nothin’ to nobody.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>“’Sias says he’s a hundred and fifty years old, ‘more or
+less,’” laughed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know ’Sias do say that. I don’t know what make him
+say that. ’Sias ain’t no more’n eighty-five. That’s my
+age, and we is twins.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You and ’Sias twins?” exclaimed Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey; that’s what makes us bofe so little, I
+reckon; but we don’t mean no harm by it. We nebber does
+nothin’ to nobody; me and ’Sias don’t.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’m sure you don’t. Be satisfied. We are not disposed
+to think evil of you,” said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do thank you for that ’pinion, marster; an’ it a true
+one; ’cause we nebber does nothin’ to nobody. An’ now
+I’ll go. Ebenin’, sar; ebenin’, ma’am; ebenin’, young
+people. I’s gwine now.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And with these last words the queer little old woman
+took leave and went away.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The strong, industrious and hard-working Palmers, toiling
+together, soon got their pleasant house in perfect order.
+And then they began to realize how, without actually possessing
+wealth, they had come into all the practical enjoyment
+of it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John’s duty was very light—it was only to look after the
+plantation; but not to take any part in the hard labor.
+Susan’s office was still lighter—to look after the women
+servants and see that the manor-house was kept clean and
+well aired, and that all the work in their department was
+well done.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In compensation the Palmers had the free use of the
+comfortable house, six hundred dollars a year, and all the
+family provisions from the plantation that the household
+might require; and lastly, the privilege of “exercising” the
+horses in the stable, either under the saddle or before one of
+the rather dilapidated old carriages.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The granaries supplied them with abundance of bread-stuffs;
+the dairies with milk, cream and butter; the barnyard
+with poultry; the droves of cattle and flocks of sheep
+with meat; the river below them with fish; the garden with
+vegetables; the orchard with fruit, and the bee-hives with
+honey; for, although the manor-house had been utterly neglected,
+the farms and stock had been tolerably well kept up
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>by the negroes, under the occasional supervision of the
+agent.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Besides all this, John and Susan had the privilege of selecting
+two servants, a man and a woman, from the plantation
+for their own family service—a privilege which they
+had not as yet availed themselves of, having help enough
+within their own household.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There were so many hands, indeed, that all their work
+was quietly and easily done, leaving them much leisure for
+rest and recreation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer took the women and children in the capacious
+old carry-all for long drives along the banks of the
+river or through the forest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. and the two boys learned to ride so well that they
+could always attend the carry-all on horseback.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. usually rode a little, silver-gray horse, which was her
+favorite because it united the rare qualities of swiftness,
+gentleness, and spirit, and which she named Pearl. She
+liked, on a fine summer afternoon, to ride beside the carriage
+in going through the forest or along the river banks
+and to listen or reply to the happy chatter of the delighted
+children; but she liked even more than that to mount her
+little horse and go for a solitary ride on the mountain, to
+explore narrow, hidden, and forgotten paths, to startle the
+deer from its leafy couch, or the eagle, screaming, from its
+dizzy perch; to find new Edens of light and beauty, and
+even new Hades of gloom and grandeur.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. enjoyed this life in the Wilderness more than any
+other member of the family did, though they were all happier
+than they had ever been before.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was, indeed, but one cloud on the sunshine of their
+lives—they missed the pleasure of attending divine service
+on Sundays.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was no church within thirty miles of the manor-house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Certainly, by getting up at four o’clock on Sunday mornings
+and harnessing two of the strongest draught horses to
+the largest carry-all, John might have taken his family to
+Greyrock Chapel in time for the morning service, at eleven
+o’clock, but that he had conscientious scruples on the subject.
+He was a simple and literal interpreter of the commandment,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>and he held that beasts of burden had as much
+right to their Sabbath rest as mankind, and that to make
+them work by dragging Christians to church was the inconsistency
+of worshiping the Lord by disobeying him, and
+keeping the Sabbath holy by breaking it. We think John
+was level-headed on that subject, as well as on some others.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. begged him to go to the island and hear the blind
+preacher. But John was strongly attached to the church
+in which he had been brought up, and the forms with which
+he had been familiar from childhood. Besides, he did not
+like worshiping in the open air—“the temple not made
+with hands.” So John assembled his household in his own
+parlor every Sabbath day and read the services. And he
+made himself contented until communion Sunday drew near.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then, on the Saturday immediately preceding it, he said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Susan, my dear, we are famishing for the bread of life.
+We must go to church to-morrow, whether or no. Not that
+I intend to travel on that day! No; but I tell you what
+we’ll do, my dear. We’ll go this afternoon, and we’ll take
+vittals and horse feed enough to last us until Monday
+morning, and we’ll camp out, like we did when we were on
+our journey. It’s lovely weather for out-doors, Susan.
+What do you think of it yourself?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think that will be very enjoyable, John.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The young uns would like it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“’Mazingly, John.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well; you get the eating and sleeping conveniences
+all ready and I’ll harness up the old wagon we traveled
+in, and I reckon we’ll leave here about five o’clock and
+we’ll get to Greyrock by eleven to-night.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>This plan was carried out then and continued, once a
+month, all the summer and all the autumn, as long as the
+weather permitted.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. always went with the family when they traveled so
+far to church; but on other Sundays she went to the gate-house,
+propitiated Sereny by the gift of a little bit of bright
+ribbon, or a string of glass beads, and so borrowed old ’Sias
+from his lawful proprietor to take her down the river to
+hear the blind preacher of the island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>One day as they floated down the stream before a gentle
+breeze, old ’Sias said to her:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>“Miss Em., why don’t yer larn to manage de boat yourse’f?
+It is one ob de easiest things to larn and one ob de
+’lightfullest things to know. It would be a great divarsion
+to yerse’f in the weeky days, when yer can’t hab me to wait
+on yer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I should like that so much! Would it be a great
+deal of trouble to you to teach me?” exclaimed the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, laws, no, honey! none.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So, then and there, ’Sias gave Em. her first lesson in
+handling the tiller and steering the boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they landed he showed her how to lower the sail.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After the preaching, when they were about to return
+home, he showed her how to hoist the sail, and as they ran
+up the river he taught her how to trim it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And sometimes, Miss Em., when dere’s too much wind,
+or no wind at all, yer can ship de little mast and furl de
+sail and take de oars. I mus’ teach you some day how to
+row.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, do!” said Em. “I should like that ever so much!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man kept his word, and soon Em. became quite
+an expert in the use of the oars as well as in the management
+of the sail-boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Every Sunday, attended by old ’Sias, she went to the
+island preaching, and sometimes during the week, when she
+could get away, she went alone down to the boat, hoisted
+the little sail and steered for the island or for some point
+on the shore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It gave her a new and delightful sense of freedom to feel
+that she had the power to move over the surface of the water
+and go from place to place at her pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am a bird when I fly through the forest or over the
+mountains on horseback, and I am a fish when I speed
+through the waters in my boat!” she gleefully exclaimed to
+herself one morning in August as she steered for the island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She had never yet landed at the island on any week day
+or on any other occasion than to attend the preaching of
+the blind minister. She had at such times kept a bright
+lookout for the mysterious beauty known to popular superstition
+as the White Spirit; but she had seen no sign of
+such a being. She had heard it rumored, indeed, that the
+lady would not come to the island this season.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>Now, therefore, on this cool August morning an impulse
+suddenly moved Em. to steer directly for the island, to land
+there, go up to the palace and try to get permission from
+the housekeeper to view the interior once more, and especially
+to look upon the portrait of the White Spirit.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The wind was in her favor; the little sail filled and the
+boat was wafted swiftly down stream to the landing-place
+at the island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. furled her sail, moored her boat, and stepped out
+upon the pretty path that led first through the girdle of
+acacias and then through the ring of silver maples, and
+thence up the ornamented terraces among groves, fountains,
+arbors, statues, and parterres of flowers to the beautiful
+high knoll on which the white mansion stood.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She remembered the way taken by old ’Sias when he
+borrowed the key from the housekeeper, and so she followed
+the path around to the rear of the premises, where she was
+so fortunate as to find the woman—a very handsome mulatto,
+sitting on an arbor, engaged in needlework.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-morning,” said Em., who had approached so softly
+that her presence was not perceived until she spoke.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lord bless my soul alive! Who <i>is</i> you, anyhow, young
+lady?” exclaimed the woman, but there was more of surprise,
+even of amazement, than of offence in her manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I startled you, I fear,” said Em. with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I should think you did. Who <i>is</i> you, honey, to
+be sure, then?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Only Em. Palmer, one of the new overseer’s daughters
+from the Wilderness.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! To be sure!” exclaimed the woman, but without
+ceasing to stare at the visitor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I came upon you too suddenly. You seemed to be in a
+reverie. But I came to ask you, if it is not asking too
+much, to permit me to see the inside of the house,” said Em.
+with some bashful hesitation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, chile, you can see the house. Any one can see
+it without reserve at any time, ’cept when my mistress is
+at home, and even then they can see every part of it except
+her chamber. Yes, chile, here is the key of the front door.
+Go in and look for yourself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you very much. I only want to see the drawing-room,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>with the portrait of your mistress. It <i>is</i> the portrait
+of your mistress, is it not?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It’s like her, honey, if you mean the white veiled figure
+in the drawing-room.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you,” said Em. again, as she received the key
+and turned to go around to the front.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She unlocked the door and entered the hall, and then
+passed immediately to the elegant drawing-room, upholstered
+in white, blue and silver.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She scarcely glanced at the splendors of this saloon, but
+went immediately up to the figure and stood gazing at it
+with uplifted eyes and clasped hands and eager mind, anxious
+to read the mystery of this veiled face, whose wonderful,
+fair beauty could be traced even behind the mist of the
+flowing white gauze. She stood thus until startled by a
+voice at her elbow:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is a most wonderful picture, is it not?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. turned suddenly and stood face to face with Ronald
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER V<br> <span class='c006'>RONALD BRUCE</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Handsome as Hercules, ere his first labor.</div>
+      <div class='line in40'><span class='sc'>Anon.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Ronald Bruce! Yes, it was he. There he stood, taller,
+browner, and stouter, and, withal, handsomer than he had
+ever been before.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They recognized each other in one mutual, instantaneous,
+astonished gaze.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Miss Palmer! You here! What a surprise! I did
+not know it was you until you turned your face. I am <i>very</i>
+glad to see you!” exclaimed the young man heartily, offering
+his hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But he looked full of curiosity and interest, as if he would
+have liked to ask her how on earth she ever came there, if
+the question had been admissible.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em.’s expressive face flushed and paled as she received
+his hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>“I hope I did not frighten you,” continued the young
+lieutenant, seeing that she did not speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, not much—that is, not at all,” faltered the girl
+in blushing confusion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You did not in the least expect to meet me here, however,”
+said Ronald Bruce, fixing his honest, dark eyes smilingly
+upon her roseate face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no; but I am very much pleased to meet you here,”
+said Em., beginning to recover her self-possession and
+speaking with all the more formal politeness because of her
+conscious embarrassment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Are you really? Then this is a mutual pleasure as well
+as a mutual surprise. Being in the neighborhood, and hearing
+of this beautiful place, I came this morning to see it.
+I met the housekeeper, who told me that the doors were
+open, as there was another person inside viewing the rooms.
+I came in and found you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have been here once before. I like to come.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is a very attractive place—but do not stand!” suddenly
+exclaimed the young man as he went off and wheeled
+up a short sofa before the picture.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now sit down, Miss Palmer, and I will explain how
+I happen to be in this neighborhood.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She seated herself with a bow of thanks, and he, leaning
+over the arm of the sofa, continued:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am on a three months’ leave, and I have come to spend
+it with my uncle, Commodore Bruce, who has been placed
+on the retired list, and is living at a fine old place called
+The Breezes, on the west bank of the river, about half way
+between this and a queer old manor called the Wilderness.
+Perhaps you may know both, if you have been here long.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I have seen The Breezes from the river. It is a
+long, gray stone house on a plateau half way up the mountain
+side, half hidden, also, by trees, and with a fountain
+gushing from the rocks at the right and tumbling all the
+way down from ledge to ledge until it falls into the river.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is the place. The house, as you say, stands upon
+a natural plateau about half way up the mountain. The
+commodore calls the plateau a shelf, and says that it is all
+right that a worn-out old veteran like himself should be
+laid upon the shelf. But I am sorry that he is retired from
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>the navy. He needed that active life more than any man
+I ever knew.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why?” inquired Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To occupy his mind and make him forget his troubles.
+He has had so much trouble. He lost all his children in
+their childhood, with the exception of one, who lived to be
+about eighteen years old, and was then lost on the <i>Eagle</i>,
+when that fine ship was wrecked on the coast of Morocco.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, what a terrible misfortune!” sighed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That catastrophe broke his wife’s heart. She died within
+a few weeks after the news of the wreck came. And now
+for years past the brave old man has been a childless widower.
+Still I think he bore up much better when in active
+service than he does now, for since his retirement he has
+been subject to fits of deepest melancholy. I spend all the
+time I can with him; but I am only his nephew. I cannot
+take the place of his son.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know you must be a great comfort to him, for all
+that,” said Em., in earnest sympathy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t know. He wants me to resign my commission
+in the navy and live with him altogether.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I wish you would! I wish you would!” impulsively
+exclaimed the girl. And then she suddenly recollected herself
+and blushed deeply at her own impetuous words.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Most certainly I will do so, since you wish it!” replied
+the young man with so much comic solemnity that Em.
+broke into a peal of silvery laughter. Then growing grave
+in her turn she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do not think you ought to make fun of what I said,
+Mr. Bruce.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Fun!’ You think I am jesting?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Of course I do. You certainly do not mean to say that
+you are in earnest.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed I do—that is, if—do you know that I have never
+ceased to think of you since that day I first met you?” he
+whispered earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. flushed and paled and began to tremble.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Never ceased to think of you, and longed to see you
+again. And now I do see you, I wish never to lose sight of
+you more. Do you understand me, little Em.?” he breathed,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>trying to take her hand; but she withdrew it gently and
+folded her arms.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There, I will not touch your hand if you do not wish
+me to do so. But do you understand me, dear little Em.?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—think—I—Oh! but——” muttered the girl, incoherently,
+and every moment growing more and more confused
+and—distressed or delighted, she could hardly know
+which, so mixed were her emotions.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is what I mean, dear girl—that your presence in
+the neighborhood makes the place so much more attractive
+to me that, if you are to be a permanent resident of the
+county, I shall indeed be strongly tempted to forego all my
+cherished hopes of a career in the navy and be delighted to
+settle down with my uncle at his retreat.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Just to see me once in a while?” inquired Em. in low,
+tremulous, incredulous tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Just to see you as often as I may be permitted to do so.
+You are to live here, then, I am to understand?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes; at the Wilderness. My father is the new overseer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In-deed!” slowly responded Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied Em., recovering some self-possession now
+that the conversation was turned from her personally. “We
+are all there—father, mother, all my brothers and sisters,
+the little Italian girl, Valencia, and Mrs. Whitlock and
+Aunt Monica.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Heaven and earth! Your father is a practical communist,
+with the unprecedented peculiarity of keeping up
+the commune at his own expense. So the little orphan is
+still with you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes; but she does not feel that she is an orphan.
+She is one of ourselves. We all love her dearly, and do all
+we can to make her forget she was ever anything else. Why,
+do you know, she has a high little spirit of her own, and the
+first time she showed it by slapping Molly in the face for
+combin her hair roughly we were all delighted, for we said
+to ourselves:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Now we <i>know</i> she feels quite at home.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hum,” gravely commented Ronald Bruce. “Was Molly
+delighted, too?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. laughed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No,” she answered. “It took all the house to mollify
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>Molly; and for a long time it was in vain that we explained
+what a good sign that was! oh, of course, we know that it
+was naughty, and that very night, at prayer-time, father
+gave out the children’s hymn, ‘Let dogs delight to bark and
+bite,’ for them all to learn by heart against the next Sabbath.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How do you like living at the Wilderness?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, so much! So very much! We have such a good
+time! Plenty of clean space and fresh, sweet air. Plenty
+of well water and cool shade. Abundance of fruit and milk
+and everything we need. And the forest all around the
+house and the mountains behind and the river before. We
+children have learned to ride and drive, for the many horses
+standing in the stables have to be exercised. And I have
+learned to row and to manage a sail-boat. Oh, it is so delightful!
+After Laundry Lane, to be here is like having
+died to the earth and come to heaven!” exclaimed Em., with
+such enthusiasm that the young man smiled ruefully and
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And, in fact, you are so perfectly happy that you do not
+need even the presence of an old friend like me to add to
+your happiness—no, not even though he is willing to resign
+a glorious career and stay here for your sake. You do not
+want him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, indeed, indeed I do!” exclaimed Em. impulsively,
+and then she clapped her hands over <a id="t43"></a>her own lips that
+no more hasty words might escape them, as she turned pale
+at the thought of their earnestness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That settles my destiny,” said the young lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I must go now,” murmured the girl, rising to her
+feet and throwing over her head a light gossamer shawl
+that had been knit by her own hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, not yet! Stay a little longer,” pleaded the young
+man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, <i>indeed</i> I must go now. I have duties to do at
+home,” persisted Em. as she shook the white gossamer shawl
+down over her shoulders until it flowed around her form
+like a mist.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stop! One moment! Good Heaven, what a resemblance!”
+exclaimed Ronald Bruce, gazing at Em. and then
+at the picture of the veiled lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>“What? Oh! between me and the portrait? Yes, it
+has been remarked before,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I did not notice it until that flowing mantle of yours
+called my attention to it; but the resemblance is perfect in
+every feature of the face; Is it accidental, or are you perhaps
+a distant relation of the original?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is accidental. I never even saw the original of that
+portrait, who I understand to be the lady of this island
+manor.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“A strange coincidence of form and feature. You are
+not going?” he inquired, seeing Em. moving toward the
+door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, I must. Good-by.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, I will see you to your boat.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But you have not been through the house you came to
+look at.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I can go through the house another time. I will see
+you to your boat, unless you forbid me to do so.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She did not forbid him, and so he followed her out, and
+when he had returned the key to the keeper he attended
+her down through the beautiful groves of the isle to the
+landing where she had moored her boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you mean to say that you sailed from the Wilderness
+alone in that boat?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, why should I not?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Suppose an accident had happened?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They tell me that no accident ever was known to have
+happened on the Placid. Even if there had been an accident,
+at the very worst I could only have been drowned.
+And is it worth while to refrain from any harmless and
+healthful enjoyment for the fear of a possible accident?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, no, you are right. But it is rare to find a young
+girl so skillful and fearless in managing a sail-boat. Who
+taught you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“An old philosopher who is called ’Sias, and keeps the
+gates at the Wilderness,” said Em. as she began to unmoor
+her boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, no, let me do that. I should have done it before,
+but that I did not wish to hasten the time of your departure—like
+dropping the handkerchief for my own execution,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>you know,” said the young man as he took the task out of
+her hands and performed it himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then he handed her into the boat, hoisted the sail and
+took the tiller and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I hope you will let me go with you as far as our course
+separates—that is, to the landing below our place—though,
+if you feel the very least objection to my doing so, say it
+frankly and I will leave,” he added.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have no objection at all. I thank you very much; but
+what will become of your own boat that brought you here?”
+inquired Em., half pleased, half frightened at his proposal.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I came in a little row-boat. I can send a servant
+down here in another boat to tow this back. Come, be
+charitable, and take me in. I am tired of rowing, and to
+row up stream will be much harder work than it was to
+row down.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. hesitated for a moment and communed with herself
+to this effect.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I would not refuse <i>any other</i> person a seat in my boat,
+and why, now, should I refuse this gentleman, who has been
+kinder to me than most people? I will <i>not</i> refuse him. It
+would be unkind, ungrateful and impolite.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Shall I go?” inquired Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, pray do not. Keep your seat, sir,” said Em.,
+all the more graciously because she had hesitated.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ay, ay, sir,” said the young officer, laughingly touching
+his hat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He took the tiller again and steered for the Wilderness,
+while Em. sat opposite to him with her idle hands before
+her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now you know that you are captain of this boat, and I
+am only the man at the helm, under your command. I will
+steer where you order me and stop when you tell me,” said
+Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No,” replied Em., “when I resigned the helm I resigned
+the command. I decline the responsibility you would force
+upon me. I am only a passenger.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well,” said the man at the helm, “then here we
+go!” and, unknown to Em., he shot past the landing below
+The Breezes and steered for the Wilderness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>“Why, where are you going?” inquired Em. when at last
+she perceived his course.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To take you home to your landing at the foot of the
+Wilderness and then walk with you up to the house to see
+your father and mother.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I declare you are like the fox in the fable of the fox
+and the hare,” said Em. to herself, but to him she only put
+a question:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How will you get back?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, walk it—The Breezes being on the same side of the
+river with the Wilderness, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, to be  sure!” replied the girl, and upon every
+account she was very glad that Ronald Bruce was going
+straight home with her, for thus she would have his company
+for an hour or two longer, and then he would see the
+family, and they would all know how he came home with
+her, and all would be frank, open, and straightforward.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are very kind to me, Mr. Bruce, and you always
+were. I know my mother and father will be very glad to
+welcome you,” she said.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They soon reached the island landing, where Ronald
+Bruce lowered the sail, moored the boat, and would have
+given his hand to help his companion out, but she, unaccustomed
+to any such assistance, without waiting for it,
+sprang lightly to the shore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He joined her immediately, and they entered the forest
+road and walked toward the house. It was now so near
+sunset that the sun had sunk out of sight behind the mountain
+range, casting the wooded valley into a premature twilight.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young pair did not hurry themselves, but walked
+in a leisurely way through the deepening shades of the
+forest until they reached the manor-house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. then led her companion around to the rear, where
+they found John and all the family sitting before the door
+of the Red Wing enjoying the coolness of the August
+evening.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, little truant, where have you been all the afternoon,
+and who is that you have got with you?” inquired
+John Palmer as Em. and her escort approached.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have been all this time on the river, and at the island,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>father, and I have brought an old friend home whom you
+and mother will be glad to see—Lieutenant Ronald Bruce,”
+said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Young Bruce lifted his cap and advanced.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But almost before he could take a step the little Italian
+girl, Valencia, with a great cry of joy rushed forward and
+clasped him with both little arms, calling him, in her enthusiastic
+language, her illustrious, her beneficent, her beloved,
+her caressed, and so forth, and so forth.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce responded heartily, lifted her in his arms
+and kissed and blessed her, and then put her gently down
+and went forward to greet John and Susan Palmer, who
+both received him very cordially and pressed him to be
+seated and to stay to tea.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce in look and manner showed his willingness
+to do so at the same time that he explained his inability by
+saying that he was obliged to start immediately, as he had
+to walk back through the forest and half way up the mountain
+to The Breezes, where he was then staying with his
+uncle, Commodore Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, there,” said John Palmer; “we did hear that a
+retired naval officer had taken that old place, but we never
+heard his name. So it was the commodore. Well, sir, his
+place, I should say, was a good ten miles from here by the
+road; it is a great deal nearer by the river. Now, sir, there’s
+no need for you to walk it at all. If so be you must go
+back, why, there’s a dozen horses in the stable needing
+exercise, the best of ’em heartily at your service. But—would
+the old gentleman be anxious if you was to stay out
+all night?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no!” laughed the young man. “He retires to his
+study so early that he would not know it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, sir, here’s my offer to you—the best horse
+in the stable if you <i>must</i> go; or a hearty welcome to the
+best room in the house if you can stay,” said John cordially.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do stay, Mr. Bruce. We should all be happy to have
+you,” added Susan Palmer, glad of the chance to offer hospitality.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The little Italian girl caught his hand and held it tightly
+while she lifted her dark, bright, eager eyes pleadingly to
+his.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>But Ronald Bruce sought the eyes of Em., which said
+nothing, their glance being fixed upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Nevertheless, the young man thanked the hospitable
+couple and accepted their invitation as frankly as it was
+given.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VI<br> <span class='c006'>THE GUEST</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Welcome he is in hut and hall,</div>
+      <div class='line'>To maids and matrons, men and all.</div>
+      <div class='line in35'><span class='sc'>Praed.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>To the isolated family in the Wilderness Manor the sight
+of a stranger was a rare event, and the entertainment of a
+guest an unprecedented one. So Ronald Bruce’s frank acceptance
+of their cordial invitation to stay to supper and
+spend the night threw every member of the household into
+a flutter of excitement.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan Palmer, signing to Em. to keep her seat and entertain
+her visitor, arose and withdrew into the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ann Whitlock and old Monica got up and followed her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And the three women stood together in the kitchen and
+held a council of cookery as to what should be provided
+for so “distinguished” a guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now you jest leab it all to <i>me</i>, chillun, and ’range yourselbes
+underneaf my orders for de night, and I jest tell yer
+all what, I’ll jest ’vide sich a supper as will make dat young
+man thank his blessed stars as he missed his dinner at home—which
+he must a-missed, yer know, ’cause all dem dere
+big bugs allers eats deir dinner ’bout de time we all thinkin’
+’bout gwine to bed,” said Monica confidently.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And you really think you can cook a supper that he will
+enjoy?” anxiously inquired Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hush, honey, what’s yer talkin’ ’bout? He mus’ be a
+dreat deal harder to please dan his ole uncle was if I can’t.
+Wasn’t I cook to ole Marse Capt’n Wyndeworth, at Green
+Point? And didn’t ole Marse Capt’n Bruce come to dinner
+and supper dere two or t’ree times a week? And where
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>would you find two greater epitaphs dan dey was? G’way
+from here, chillun, and let me get de supper,” exclaimed the
+old woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And truly, with the resources of the rich Wilderness
+Manor, with the aid of the well filled smoke houses, poultryyards,
+dairies, gardens and orchards, old Monica found
+materials worthy even of her culinary science.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then leaving the cook to get supper Susan Palmer and
+Ann Whitlock went upstairs and prepared the largest and
+best bedchamber (usually reserved for the use of the agent)
+for the accommodation of their guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile the party gathered under the trees in front of
+the house, conversing gayly together, enjoying the cool
+evening air.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer, who was as innocent and unconventional
+as a child in the matter of asking questions, drew out the
+frank young officer to speak freely of his own circumstances.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When Susan Palmer had finished her task in the house
+and rejoined the circle under the trees, John was saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And so the old gentleman wants you to resign your
+commission in the navy and to spend your life with him,
+does he?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes. You see it is not from selfishness on his part,
+but from affection. The terrible disaster through which
+he lost his only son at sea has so wrought upon his mind
+that he dreads to trust any one he loves to the career of a
+sailor,” the young man explained.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ay, ay,” said John, “‘sich is life.’ And you say that
+he promises, if you will resign your commission in the navy
+and stay with him for the short remainder of his life, he
+will leave you The Breezes and all his other property at
+his death?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Have you a loving for the sea?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, if I was you I wouldn’t give it up. Not
+for filthy lucre, I wouldn’t! It is an honorable career, the
+navy, and some <i>must</i> follow it and risk their lives, and, if
+need be, lose their lives; for ‘sich <i>is</i> life.’ Put it to the
+old gentleman that way. Tell him <i>he</i> wouldn’t a-done it
+when <i>he</i> was a young man, and why then should he want
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>you to? Tell him you will spend all your leaves with him,
+and that you don’t want his money; you want an honorable
+naval career. There, young gentleman, tell him that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce smiled at the simplicity and freedom with
+which honest John Palmer gave advice involving the loss
+or gain of a large estate, but was saved the trouble of replying
+by his wife Susan, who struck into the conversation
+with:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But law, John, the old gentleman’s <i>feelings</i> ought to be
+considered <i>some</i>. It ain’t <i>all</i> a question of money, nor it
+ain’t all a question of honor; but of kindness and of feelings.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We be talking of principles, my dear, not feelings. But
+there, what’s the use of arguing? Men will be guided by
+principles and women by feelings while the world stands,
+for ‘sich is life.’ And youth will be guided by its own wayward
+will. This young gentleman will do as he pleases,
+after all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce laughed, but did not commit himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. was perfectly silent. And the deepening twilight
+threw her beautiful face into such dark shadow that her
+lover could not see its expression.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer started another topic by speaking of the
+island and the mysterious stranger who owned it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They say as she is as fair as an angel of light; but how
+can they tell that, since nobody has ever seen her face unveiled?”
+said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know nothing about her,” replied the guest, “except
+what the gossip of the country people tell me, which may
+not be true.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They discoursed concerning the White Spirit until one
+of the boys came out of the house and whispered to his
+mother that supper was on the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan Palmer arose in good, old-fashioned, rustic style
+and invited her guest to walk in and partake, adding, with
+polite hypocrisy, that she hoped he would excuse the plainness
+of fare they had to set before him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Young Bruce laughed as he replied that there was no
+doubt the viands were excellent in themselves and much
+better than he deserved—and so, with the custom of <i>his</i>
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>class, he offered his arm to Mrs. Palmer to take her to
+supper.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan accepted it and marched in.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John looked on with an amused smile, and then gravely
+took Em.’s hand and tucked it under his arm and followed
+into the spacious dining-room of the old house, where his
+first words were an exclamation of honest astonishment:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Oh, My!</span>”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It cannot be denied that the table and the supper were
+a triumph of decorative art and culinary science—adorned
+with the choicest flowers of the conservatory, and laden
+with the daintiest luxuries of the season. But covers were
+laid for four only—for John, Susan, Em. and their guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“For,” said Aunt Monica, in consultation with Mrs.
+Whitlock, “you an’ de chillun will ’joy yourselves a dreat
+deal more eatin’ of your fill ’long of yourselves dan siftin’
+down dere, ’shamed to eat as much as you want ’fore de
+quality.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ann Whitlock and the young people fully agreed with
+Aunt Monica’s view of the case, for with them feeding was
+always the most serious business of life, at which they
+wanted no disturbing or restraining influence; and here
+indeed was a feast not to be slighted on account of any
+company in the world, but to be discussed at liberty and
+enjoyed at leisure.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So the party of four sat down to an epicure’s supper and
+did it full justice.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Young Bruce complimented Mrs. Palmer upon the excellence
+of her dishes, whereupon poor Susan, with much
+pride, answered:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, sir, it is not much to say to <i>you</i>; but our old Aunt
+Monica was chief cook to old Captain Wyndeworth, who
+was one of the greatest epitaphs in the country.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald’s dark mustache quivered for a moment with the
+humorous smile that was hovering around his lips; but that
+smile vanished when he saw the distressed face of poor Em.,
+who sat directly opposite him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John saw all and understood half, saying to himself:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now the old ’oman has put her foot in it somehow or
+other; but what odds? ‘Sich is life.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Young Bruce had tact enough to change the subject and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>lead the conversation into such channels of entertainment
+and amusement that the face of Em. soon lost its look of
+care and pain, lighted up with interest and beamed with
+pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And the little, half perceived cloud having vanished, the
+dainty supper passed off very pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they rose from the table, John led the way to the
+front piazza, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I couldn’t advise you to sit under the trees at this hour,
+sir. The dews are heavy at this season.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young man took the offered seat from his host and
+sat down in the summer night’s sweet gloom, holding the
+hand of Em., who, unseen, sat near him and good-naturedly
+answering the child-like questions of honest John, who
+wanted to know if he had ever been to Africa. If he could
+tell anything about the slave trade on the coast of Guinea.
+If he had ever been to the Mediterranean. If he knew
+much about the pirates of the coast of Barbary. And were
+there really wreckers there who rescued shipwrecked passengers
+from the deep only to carry them off inland and sell
+them into slavery? Had he ever doubled the Cape of Good
+Hope, and were there really chunks of solid gold to be found
+there as big as pigs of lead? And diamonds large as lumps
+of coal? Had he ever doubled Cape Horn? And was there
+truly a land of fire there, corresponding to the land of ice
+in Iceland, say?</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Young Ronald Bruce had been to sea in some capacity
+or other ever since he was ten years old. So he had seen
+all these places, and was able to answer all these questions,
+and many more, that were put to him during the evening.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>His patience was inexhaustible while he held the slender,
+delicate little hand of Em. within his own.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But these honest people were early birds, and very soon
+Susan Palmer suggested that their guest must be weary by
+this time and would perhaps like to be shown to his room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Upon this hint John arose, lighted a tallow candle and
+offered to conduct Mr. Bruce to his chamber.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Young Ronald pressed the little hand that he held in
+the darkness and arose, bade the two women good-night
+and followed his host into the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John, flaring tallow candle in hand, led the way up a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>plain, wide staircase to the second floor and to a large, old-fashioned
+back room, with paneled walls and polished plank
+floor, with tall windows looking full upon the precipice,
+and so near it that one leaning out might peel a piece of
+moss from the rock.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The room was lighted by two “mould” candles in tall,
+silver-plated candlesticks that stood upon the top of a high,
+antique chest of drawers and on each side of a tall, oval
+mirror.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The woodwork of all the furniture in the room, of the
+high post, canopied bedsteads, the antique chest of drawers,
+the ancient press, or wardrobe, the old escritoire, or bookcase
+and writing desk combined, the claw-footed sofa, the
+high-backed, hard “easy-chair,” and the spider-legged
+chairs and tables were all of the oldest and darkest mahogany.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The draperies of the room, the curtains at the windows
+and the bedstead, the covers of the chairs and the sofa
+were all of English chintz, of large pattern, and once of
+“loud” colors, but now toned down to a general hue of faded
+flowers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I see you looking around on the room with curiosity,
+sir. Yes, it <i>is</i> old-timey! I reckon if these here old sticks
+of furniture had a tongue they could tell a tale—don’t
+you?” inquired John, as he placed his candlestick upon the
+high mantel-shelf.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, doubtless,” mused Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But this is nothing to the manor-house, sir, though they
+do say this is older than that. But if you want to see a rale,
+gorgeous, old, ancient palace you come some day and see
+the manor-house, sir. Why, for one thing, there is a picture,
+large as life, of a court lady of the time of King David
+or Queen Mary, or some king or queen, I don’t remember
+which; but anyhow, it is hundreds of years ago, and the
+splendid colors are as bright and fresh as if it was painted
+only yesterday. But I am keeping you from sleep, sir;
+good-night,” said John, with a smile, as he took up his light
+to retire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-night, and many thanks for all your kind attentions,”
+returned the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>When John Palmer reached the family sitting-room he
+found all the household gathered around the table as a
+common center, discussing the merits of their guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He is really one of the most gentlemanly young men I
+ever saw in my life,” said Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hi, honey, what yer talkin’ ’bout! Ain’t he one ob de
+Bruces? An’ dey do tell me as the Bruces are ’cended from
+some r’yal fam’ly or other. Not dat I know, but so I hab
+heerd,” said Aunt Monica.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There was a great hero named Robert Bruce, who became
+king of Scotland in the old, old times, but there were
+also a large tribe of Bruces. So how can any one tell?
+But as for this young gentleman, it does not matter in the
+least whether he is descended from a king or a carter, <i>he is
+himself</i>; that is the best he could possibly be,” said Em.
+earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He is an honest, straightforward young fellow enough;
+and you are right, my girl; it don’t matter two straws <i>who</i>
+he is descended from,” added John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, chillun, as de heat and burden ob entertainin’ ob
+dis young ge’man falls onto my ole shoulders, and I hab to
+get up in de mornin’ to cook a fust-chop, out-an’-out breakfast
+for him, <i>I’m</i> a-gwine to bed. Tell yer all what, it’s
+desaustin’ to de system cookin’ for dese here epitaphs!”
+said old Aunt Monica.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Aunty!” exclaimed Em., as if she had received a
+stab, so keen was the recollection of the error of the supper
+table—“Oh, Aunty, not epi<i>taph</i>, you mean epi<i>cure</i>! Epitaphs
+are put on tombstones, and epicures——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Are put <i>under</i> them! So what odds? ‘Sich is life,’”
+said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, but I want her to remember this, father, dear.
+Aunt Monica, <i>will</i> you remember that people who love delicate
+and dainty food are epi<i>cures</i> and not epi<i>taphs</i>?” pleaded
+Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, I’ll try,” said old Monica, and she remembered
+the emphasized syllables so well that thenceforth she
+put them together, and when she had occasion to speak of
+a gourmand she called him a curataph.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John called the children around him for their evening
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>prayers; and after these had been offered up the simple,
+kindly people bade each other good-night and retired to
+rest.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VII<br> <span class='c006'>A PROPOSAL</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>I see a small, old-fashioned room,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>With paneled wainscot high;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Old portraits round in order set,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Carved, heavy tables, chairs, buffets,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Of dark mahogany.</div>
+      <div class='line'>And there a high-backed, hard settee</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>On six brown legs and paws,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Flowered o’er with silk embroidery;</div>
+      <div class='line'>And there, all rough with filigree,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Tall screens on gilded claws.</div>
+      <div class='line in24'><span class='sc'>Caroline Southey.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>When young Ronald Bruce awoke in the morning he
+found all things prepared for his toilet by the care of the
+two boys, who had brought fresh water and towels for their
+guest while he slept.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He arose and dressed himself before the tall mirror on
+the chest of drawers that stood between the two back windows
+looking out upon the precipice.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Just before leaving his room he leaned from the window
+and plucked a wild mountain rose that grew in the cleft
+of the rock and placed it in his buttonhole.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then he went downstairs to find his way to the parlor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He found the little Italian girl, Vennie, in the hall below.
+With the impetuosity of her age and nation she rushed
+to him, threw herself into his arms, calling him by the most
+extravagant pet names that her hyperbolical language afforded.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He responded to all her enthusiastic caresses, and then
+allowed her to lead him into an old-fashioned, oak-paneled
+front parlor that looked out upon the garden of the old
+manor-house, and beyond that upon the section of the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>wooded vale with its wall of mountains and its far down
+glimpse of the river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here he found the breakfast table neatly set and Em.
+herself flitting from cupboard to kitchen, back and forth,
+putting finishing touches to its arrangement.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She paused suddenly in her work to greet him as he
+entered.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He noticed the lovely flush and the timid smile that
+lighted up her face as she offered her hand and her low-toned
+“good-morning.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He took the delicate hand and raised it to his lips, while
+her eyes dropped and her color deepened under the eloquent
+gaze he fixed on her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But before he could speak a word John entered with
+boisterous cordiality and greeted his guest. Since coming
+to the country and entering upon a happier and more prosperous
+manner of life, John’s nature had risen out of its
+subdued sadness into something very like hilariousness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan soon followed him; breakfast was brought in,
+and the four sat down to the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old Monica waited on them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I hope the old commodore won’t be up early enough
+this morning to inquire after you and grow anxious before
+you get home,” said blunt John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, my uncle rises very late. It is a habit he has
+grown into since his retirement from the navy,” smilingly
+replied the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You didn’t tell me whether there was any one else at
+The Breezes to keep the old gentleman company,” said
+Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, a house full. My mother is there, and his sister,
+and her daughter, and two lady friends,” said Ronald
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“A nice party for a country house, I should say. But,
+dear me, five ladies and only one young gentleman to take
+care of them! You must have your hands quite full, sir,”
+exclaimed John in comic dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh. not at all! My uncle relieves me—plays whist,
+reads, drives and tells stories. I assure you, he is the more
+popular of the two of us,” laughed Ronald, as they rose
+from the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>“Well, Lieutenant, whenever you are disposed, by way
+of a little change, to leave high life and ladies’ society for
+a plain man’s company and table, we shall all be very glad
+and grateful to have you here,” heartily declared John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, very much. Now, however, I shall have to bid
+you a happy good-morning,” replied Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stay. I will order your horse,” exclaimed Palmer,
+hurrying from the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan had already left it temporarily to see to some
+household affairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young lovers were alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, my little fairy of the forest, when shall I see you
+again?” he breathed in a low sigh, as he took her hand and
+looked into her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She dropped her eyes, but did not reply.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When shall I see you again, Em.?” he pleaded.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When you come again. Father said he would be glad
+to have you,” she murmured without raising her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And <i>you</i>, will you be glad to see me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan Palmer bustled into the room before the girl could
+reply.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald dropped Em.’s hand and turned away.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John came in and announced the horses, for there were
+two.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have ordered a groom to attend you, sir, that he may
+bring back the beasts without giving you any trouble,”
+Palmer explained.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You give yourself a great deal of trouble, my friend,”
+said Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, the animals need exercise. I am glad of the chance
+of giving it to them. Between you and me, sir, two-thirds
+of their number ought to be sold, and so I have told the
+agent time and again. What good do they do standing in
+their stalls? Well, sir, Lord bless you!” said John, heartily
+shaking the offered hand of his departing guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce then took leave of Susan and of Em., holding
+the girl’s hand a little while in hope that she would raise
+her blue eyes once to his own.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But she did not, so he pressed the little hand and left
+her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then Em. slipped out of the room and flew up to her
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>attic chamber and placed herself at the window which commanded
+a view of the mountain path by which Ronald
+Bruce left the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She saw him ride away slowly up the mountain until he
+reached the entrance of an evergreen thicket, which would
+soon conceal him from view.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There he paused and turned to look back at the house
+which contained his idol. To Em.’s dismay his eyes caught
+her as she watched him from the window. He raised his
+hat, bowed very low and rode slowly and reluctantly into the
+thicket, where he disappeared.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. remained at the window, gazing up the now deserted
+mountain path, lost in thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To think that he should have remembered me so long!
+To think he, a cultured and refined man of good family,
+should care for me so much—for me, the child of a workman;
+a poor, half educated girl! Yet he <i>does</i> care for me.
+But, oh! I wish he had not held my hand so long or
+dropped it so suddenly when poor mother came in. If there
+was any harm in his holding my hand, why <i>did</i> he hold it?
+Or if there was <i>no</i> harm, why did he drop it so quickly?
+I don’t understand! I wonder what will come of it all!
+Oh, how I do wish I could look into the future!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“EM.!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She started from her dreamy reverie. It was her
+mother’s voice calling loudly from the foot of the stairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, ma’am; I’m coming directly,” she answered, as
+she hurried down from the attic.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan was at the foot of the stairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where have you been all this time, girl?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Only upstairs, mother.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There’s a whole basket full of stockings to darn, and
+you ought to have been at it an hour ago; only this having
+a visitor puts everything back; not but what he was a very
+agreeable young man, too,” said Susan Palmer, as she led
+the way, followed by her daughter, to the family sitting-room,
+where just then a patch-work quilt was stretched out
+in the frame, and all the women and girls of the house, except
+Em. and her mother, were seated at it, industriously
+quilting.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>Susan joined the quilters and Em. sat down to her basket
+of stockings.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So the family routine was taken up again.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Days passed, and the visit of young Ronald Bruce was
+nearly forgotten by all the busy family except Em., who,
+more was the pity, thought of him all day and dreamed of
+him all night.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I can’t think what has come over the child!” said John.
+“She is so silent.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She wants amusement. She wants some change. Some
+companions of her own age. She is not a child any longer,
+but a young woman,” said Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I know; but she can drive, and she can ride, and
+she can row,” said John; “and she used to be very fond of
+doing that when she first came down here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, it was all new to her then; but it is all played
+out now. Em. wants the company of young people of her
+own age. Here she has only old folks and children.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, poor gal, I wish I could give her all she wants,”
+sighed John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where is she now?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sitting out in the back porch making a dress for Mrs.
+Whitlock.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No more was said at the time.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Weeks passed and nothing more was heard of Ronald
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wonder why he does not come,” sighed Em. to herself.
+“He seemed so delighted to see me, so anxious to know
+whether I was going to stay in the neighborhood, and so
+overjoyed when I told him that I was living here permanently.
+He even told me that would decide him to remain
+with his uncle. And yet he has never called here since,
+though father invited him so cordially to do so. Perhaps
+he stays away because father has not returned his visit;
+but surely a young gentleman like himself would not stand
+on ceremony with a plain, elderly overseer like poor father.
+Oh, dear, I don’t understand it at all, and I wish I could
+stop thinking about it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But she did not stop thinking about it, although she
+busied herself more actively and constantly than ever with
+her household duties.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>Two months passed, and the very memory of the young
+lieutenant’s visit, which had broken the monotony of their
+life in the Wilderness, seemed to have faded away into
+dreamland.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The golden days of October were at hand, and still no
+news was heard of their neighbor, Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>One glorious autumn morning about this time the family
+had finished breakfast and John and the boys had gone
+out to work.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan and the other women and children were gathered
+in the family sitting-room, where a cheerful wood fire
+burned on the hearth.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They were busily engaged in their various employments.
+Susan was making up flannel shirts for the winter, assisted
+by the three little girls, who were hemming for her. Ann
+Whitlock was knitting yarn socks for coming cold weather,
+old Monica was sewing carpet rags, and Em. seated at the
+window which commanded the mountain pass leading to
+The Breezes, was carefully working the buttonholes in the
+otherwise finished shirts.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Suddenly she called out:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, mother, what do you think? There is a carriage
+coming down the mountain road toward the house! Such
+a handsome carriage, with such fine horses and liveried
+servants! Whose can it be, do you think?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lord knows!” exclaimed Susan, as she started, dropping
+her work, and rushed to the window, followed by all
+the family, to see the unprecedented sight of a carriage
+coming to the solitary manor-house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They crowded before the two windows of that end of
+the room and gazed with wonder upon the phenomenon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was certainly a very handsome, close carriage, drawn
+by a splendid pair of silver-gray horses, and driven by a
+stout, gray-haired negro coachman in livery.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It wound down the mountain road, turned into the house
+drive, and finally drew up before the main entrance of the
+old hall. A footman got down from behind and knocked
+at the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The idea of anybody knocking at that empty old house!
+It’s awful, it’s ghostly, and one wouldn’t be astonished if a
+ghost was to open the door at last!” exclaimed Susan
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>Palmer, as she left the sitting-room and went out of her
+own house door to meet the visitors, whoever they might
+chance to be.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The women and children stared through one of the windows
+to see what was coming of this arrival.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. gazed through the other, hoping some news of—well,
+of one Ronald Bruce, in whom she took some interest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She saw her mother go up the front steps of the old
+manor-house to the still persistently knocking footman and
+seem to explain to him the utter futility of his exertions
+and the total impossibility of receiving any response from
+a closed-up and deserted house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She then saw her, followed by the footman, walk up to
+the door of the carriage and speak to some one within.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Finally she saw the carriage door open and a lady alight
+and join her mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As they walked towards the old house Em. had a good
+view of the lady’s face and form.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She was a tall, slender, dark-haired, dark-eyed woman,
+still beautiful, though passed the prime of life, for she
+seemed from forty to forty-five years of age. She was
+richly dressed in black, but not in mourning, and a handsome
+cashmere shawl fell gracefully from her shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But what took Em.’s breath as the stranger drew nearer
+was her wondrous likeness to Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is his mother! I know that beautiful and queenly
+woman is his mother,” said Em. to herself in breathless interest,
+as the lady and her conductress approached.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If you will excuse our plainness, madam, and come
+into the sitting-room you will find a fire. There is none in
+the parlor, and as it is damp there, you might take cold,”
+said Susan, as she entered the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Pray make no apologies, Mrs. Palmer; I am sure this
+room is delightfully home-like and attractive,” answered
+the lady, with just a tinge of condescension in her manner
+that escaped the notice of Susan, but slightly chilled Em.’s
+more sensitive spirit.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Pray take a seat, Mrs. Bruce,” said Susan, pushing forward
+the best arm-chair. “This is my oldest daughter that
+I have at home,” added Susan, introducing Em., but not
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>thinking it necessary to present the other members of her
+numerous family.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How do you do, my dear?” said the lady, kindly holding
+out her kid-gloved hand to the girl as if to encourage a poor
+child of the lower orders, but looking on her with the beautiful
+dark eyes of Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. bent her head respectfully, but in silence; for indeed
+there was no need for her to speak, as the lady turned away
+almost instantly and addressed Susan:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Mrs. Palmer, as I was saying to you, I have come
+here in search of a seamstress and in some hope of getting
+one from your family. My son, Lieutenant Bruce, of the
+navy, who knows your husband, I think——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam, he does. I hope the lieutenant is well?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em.’s eyes, ears and heart were all on the <i>qui vive</i> now.
+She almost feared her companions of the moment might
+read her thoughts, her hopes and her fears in her face, so
+she bent lowlier over her task and worked more diligently
+at her buttonholes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, he is quite well. He has just returned from
+a two months’ sojourn at the Naval Academy of Annapolis,
+where he was suddenly called upon some business connected
+with the school—some investigation of—I know not what.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, indeed,” said Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em.’s troubled heart leaped for joy and then settled into
+a delicious calm. He had not forgotten her. He had been
+away. That was all.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My son, hearing me inquire in vain of my friends for
+a seamstress, casually informed me that the new overseer
+of the Wilderness Manor had several daughters, and it
+would be quite worth while to try whether one of them
+would not be able to enter my service. I really <i>must</i> have
+help in getting ready for the winter, Mrs. Palmer. So
+if one of your girls would come to me at once she should
+have a comfortable home and liberal remuneration,” continued
+the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, really, ma’am, it is true I have several daughters—six
+of ’em, in fact; but the two eldest are married and
+away. And the three youngest are little things, from six
+to ten. So it comes to this, that there is no one but Em.
+here who is fit for the place.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>“As Ronald Bruce knew well enough,” smiled Em. to
+herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, is it so? But of course Lieutenant Bruce could not
+know all these little details of your family. He only knew
+that you had several girls who might possibly be good seamstresses.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Just so, ma’am; but there’s only Em.,” said Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As he knew—as he knew,” silently sang the girl’s heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is she a neat and skillful seamstress?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“None better in the world, ma’am, I think.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then if you will part with her to me, I would like to
+engage her for a few weeks.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is just as Em. pleases, madam. There is no necessity
+in us why our girls should go out to work, but I am willing
+to oblige you; and besides, I think the change would do the
+girl good. She has been moping lately. What do you say,
+Em.?” inquired Susan, turning to her quiet daughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will go, mother, if this lady wishes me to do so; and
+I will do my best to give satisfaction,” answered the girl
+demurely.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well. Can you be ready to come to-morrow if I
+send the carriage for you?” inquired Mrs. Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will come to you to-morrow, madam; but do not take
+the trouble to send for me. One of my brothers can take
+me to you,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Just as you please, my dear. Three dollars a week,
+with board and washing, is what I have been in the habit
+of giving my seamstresses,” concluded the lady, as she
+arose to take her leave.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What will father say to this, mother?” inquired Em.
+when Mrs. Bruce had gone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Your father won’t say nothing against it, child. We
+have had many a talk about you. He’ll be glad you’ll have
+a change. And mind, he’ll take you over there himself
+to-morrow morning,” answered Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. spent the remainder of the day in packing her little
+box for her removal to Commodore Bruce’s.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When John Palmer came home to dinner he was told
+what had happened and gave his hearty approval.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’m glad for the girl’s sake,” he said. “I know it will
+do her a great deal of good. We’ll miss her very much, I
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>feel. But our loss will be her gain, and we must put up
+with it; for ‘sich is life.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Later in the day old ’Sias and Aunt Sally, who had heard
+the news from the boys, strayed into the house to pay Em.
+a parting visit.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well,” said old ’Sias, “I ain’t had sich a surprise, no,
+not since I was a boy, and dat were about a hund’ed and
+fifty years ago, more or less, honey, more or less!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Law! What a story! But he don’t mean no harm by
+it, Miss Em. ’Deed he don’t! He nebber does nuffin’ to
+nobody,” said Aunt Sally. “But I’m mighty pleased long
+o’ dem dere B’uces what yer gwine to, honey. I nebber seed
+de ole man, nor yet de madam, but I see de young man,
+what time he come and took supper and stayed all night
+here. He’s a good soul, honey. I took a good look at him,
+and I know it. He’s a good soul. He’ll nebber do nuffin’
+to nobody.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>With these consoling assurances Aunt Sally took leave
+and departed, carrying Uncle ’Sias away with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>That night after Em. went to bed her mother came up
+unexpectedly and sat by her side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“After this busy day I wish to take this only chance I
+shall have of speaking to you in private, my child,” she
+said.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. took her mother’s hand and kissed it with silent affection.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Listen to me, child. I want to give you a little advice
+before you leave us for your safe guidance while you are
+away.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear mother, indeed I will listen; indeed I will follow
+your counsel,” said the girl simply and earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I need not tell you to read the Word of God, with
+prayer, morning and evening. That I am sure you will
+do.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear, I will.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nor need I give you any hints as to your conduct
+toward your employers. Your own good sense will teach
+you how to behave toward them. But, oh, my dear child,
+there are dangers that beset youth which I cannot even hint
+at without hurting you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>“Speak what is on your mind, dear mother; never mind
+hurting me,” said Em. tenderly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, I cannot. But I will give you one little simple
+rule, easy to remember and easy to follow for your safe
+guidance among your new companions: <i>Never do or say
+anything that you would not like your mother to see or
+hear.</i>”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I never will! Indeed, dear mother, I never, never
+will!” earnestly replied Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is right. Be guided by that rule, my child. It is
+the path of safety.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VIII<br> <span class='c006'>Em. AT THE COMMODORE’S</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>That lonely mansion stood upon a cliff,</div>
+      <div class='line'>By a great mountain spring—just elevate’</div>
+      <div class='line'>Above the winter torrents did it stand,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Upon a craggy brink; and now it wore</div>
+      <div class='line'>One sober hue; the narrow cleft which wound</div>
+      <div class='line'>Among the hills was gray with rocks, that peered</div>
+      <div class='line'>Above its shallow soil; the mountainside</div>
+      <div class='line'>Was loose with stones bestrewn, which oftentimes</div>
+      <div class='line'>Clattered adown the steep, beneath the foot</div>
+      <div class='line'>Of struggling goat dislodged.</div>
+      <div class='line in40'><span class='sc'>Southey.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>It was a glorious morning in October when Em., amid
+the kisses, tears and blessings of the whole family, left the
+valley of the Wilderness for her new home on the mountain.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Seated by her father in the little, old-fashioned chaise,
+drawn by one steady, old, draught horse, and with her little
+trunk containing all her worldly goods strapped on behind,
+she commenced her journey.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They could not go by the way up which Em. had watched
+her lover ride until man and horse disappeared in the
+thicket above because that was but a narrow though nearer
+bridle-path which led up the mountain from the rear of the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>manor-house and was used only by horsemen and foot passengers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They drove down the old avenue leading through the
+thick woods that lay between the house and the park wall
+to the lodge gate, where they found both ’Sias and Sereny
+on duty to bid a final good-by to “Miss Em.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She felt for a moment distressed that she had no parting
+token of regard to bestow on these attentive friends; then
+she quickly took the clean linen collar and cuffs from her
+neck and wrists and gave them to Sereney and the neatly-folded
+handkerchief from her pocket and bestowed it upon
+’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Both received these little presents with grateful smiles
+and promised to use them for her sake.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And both threw old shoes after the chaise as it passed
+through the gate and turned to the left.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, my girl, you have half stripped your neck and
+hands for them darkies. You’ll look a perfect dowdy when
+you get to the commodore’s,” said John when they were out
+of hearing of the gate-keepers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, father dear. See, my shawl will cover all deficiencies
+until I reach my journey’s end, and then I can
+get new cuffs and collar from my trunk,” smilingly replied
+Em., as she drew her shepherd’s plaid wrap closer around
+her shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Their road ran southward between the mossy gray stone
+wall of the park on the left and the richly-colored autumn
+woods on the right. Overhead was the most glorious October
+sky; underneath a road so thickly strewn with fallen
+leaves that the horse’s hoofs and the carriage wheels went
+softly and silently on.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Passing the southeast angle of the park wall the road
+continued through the forest, but began gradually to ascend
+the wooded mountain range, half way up which, on a natural
+plateau, was situated the old house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The way was very lonely. Sometimes indeed a fox
+squatted on the road before them, startled by their approach,
+would spring up, scamper off and disappear in the forest.
+Sometimes a hawk, perched on some bending bough above
+them, frightened by their appearance, would take wing
+with a scream and be lost in the clouds afar.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>But such were the only signs of life that met them. No
+human being appeared on this almost totally abandoned
+road.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It wound up and up the wooded precipice until all of
+a sudden it came out of the woods and on to the back of
+the old house—a long, low building of gray stone, without
+any pretensions to architectural beauty, but with a look of
+spacious, homely comfort that was very attractive.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Entering by a side gate and driving over a stony road,
+they came around to the front of the building, which stood
+within a yard bounded by a stone wall upon the very edge
+of the precipice.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A short flight of broad, low stone steps led up to the
+flagged piazza and thence to the front door of solid oak,
+adorned with a huge iron knocker.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As there was no one in sight, John Palmer got off his
+seat, fastened his horse and helped Em. to alight.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then both went up the steps, and John knocked loudly
+at the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was opened by an old negro man, who stood silently
+waiting the pleasure of the visitors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is your mistress in?” inquired John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sar.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then tell her that the young person she expected this
+morning has arrived.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sar,” said the old negro, and then bethinking himself
+of proper civility, he added: “You may walk in here
+and take a seat in de hall, if you please.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer, followed by Em., entered the hall, which
+was of the type of nearly all the halls in all the large old
+houses in the country, running through the house, with a
+front door and back, a great staircase in the midst and
+room doors on either side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John and Em. sat down on a heavy oaken settee, while
+the man went off to announce their arrival to his mistress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em, this is a cold, hard, sterile place, and my heart
+sinks like lead, my girl!” sighed honest John, looking about
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why should it, father dear? Mine doesn’t. Don’t get
+blue, dear father. Remember, Sunday is the Lord’s day,
+and every Saturday night you are to send Tom for me or
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>come yourself, and I will go home and stay till Monday
+morning—two nights and a day with you, dear father,”
+said Em. cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, there is some comfort in that, and if it wasn’t for
+that I should not have let you leave home to come here at
+all,” replied John, just as the old servant reappeared and
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You is to come inter de back parlor and wait until de
+madam is ready to see you. She will come down presently.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Once more John and his daughter arose and followed
+their guide.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He conducted them down the hall, opened a door on the
+right hand and showed them into a moderate-sized and
+plainly-furnished room with oak-paneled walls and polished
+oak floor, and with a broad fireplace, on which burned a
+fire of huge hickory logs. This fireplace was flanked by two
+deep recesses, in one of which stood a carved oaken beaufet,
+full of old china, and in the other stood a cabinet with
+glass doors, behind which might be seen a collection of
+small curiosities from all quarters of the world, brought by
+Commodore Bruce from his various voyages.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Two large easy chairs, covered with flowered chintz, were
+drawn up to the fireplace, before which lay a rich Turkey
+rug.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John placed himself in one of these and Em. in the other.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She was busily employed in gazing at the old, old china
+in the beaufet on her right and curiosities in the cabinet
+on her left when the door opened and Mrs. Bruce sailed in.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sailed” is the only term to use in regard to the carriage
+of this lady, so smooth and majestic was her motion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, my dear, you are very punctual. I am glad to see
+you,” she said, taking the hand of Em. and then nodding
+graciously to John, who arose and bowed and remained
+standing while he said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, madam, I have brought my girl to you according
+to her promise. If she should not happen to suit, just drop
+me a word by one of your grooms and I’ll come and fetch
+her home with more pleasure than I have brought her
+here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I have no doubt in the world that she will suit me
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>excellently well,” said the lady, smiling at the bluntness of
+John and looking kindly upon Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will try my best to please you, madam,” said the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am not very hard to please, little one,” replied the
+lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But in any case, I shall be here Saturday night at six
+o’clock to take my girl home to spend the Sabbath,” said
+John, who could not help feeling in a very unchristian and
+aggressive humor; for why should this proud lady have
+the light of his eyes, the core of his heart, his darling little
+Em., merely because she wanted her services and was rich
+enough to pay for them?</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John felt himself rapidly growing into an agrarian, a
+communist, a revolutionist or any other sort of incendiary
+Satan should desire to make of him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There can be no objection at all to that. Indeed, if
+you like, you can come at an earlier hour,” replied Mrs.
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thank you, ma’am; but I will come at six o’clock,
+the regular hour for knocking off work all over the world,
+I believe,” answered John, who did not wish to receive any
+favors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then he went up to his daughter, took her in his arms
+and kissed her heartily, put her down, caught up his hat
+from the floor, bowed to the lady and abruptly departed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Your father does not like to part with you,” said Mrs.
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, madam; and this is the first time I have ever left
+home,” respectfully replied Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why does he consent for you to leave home when he is
+so reluctant to lose sight of you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He yields to my wish and to what he considers my
+mother’s better judgment in all matters that relate to her
+daughters.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, then <i>you</i> wished to come to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, indeed, madam,” said Em. with an ardor that
+almost touched familiarity.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the lady took no offence. She seemed rather pleased
+than otherwise as she added:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And so your mother sided with yourself?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>“I hope that neither of you will regret your choice. Your
+duties here will not be heavy. We breakfast at eight.
+After breakfast you will sew until luncheon time—one
+o’clock—then take an hour for rest or recreation and then
+sew until the dinner—six o’clock—after which you have
+the remainder of the day and the night to yourself. When
+we have no company besides the friends staying in the
+house, you will take your meals with us. And now I will
+ring for a servant to show you your room,” said the lady,
+suiting the action to the word.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A good-looking young colored girl answered the call.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Liza, show Miss Palmer here to the southwest room in
+the attic, and have her trunk carried up there, and wait
+until she is ready to come down and then bring her to my
+room. Do you understand?” inquired Mrs. Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes’m,” replied the servant.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will see you soon then,” said the lady, as she passed
+out of the parlor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come long o’ me, miss, and I’ll take you to Cuba,” said
+the colored girl, showing all her teeth at she smiled.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Cuba?” echoed Em. in bewilderment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, miss, which I means de sou’wes’ room in de attic,
+as de madam tell me to take—which de ole marse he do call
+Cuba ’cause de sun do shine dere mos’ all day an’ make it
+warm,” the girl explained as she left the parlor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is quite fanciful,” observed Em., as she followed
+her guide.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, miss, I s’pose it mus’ be somefin like dat—which de
+ole marster do call ebery room in de house after some furrin
+country as he had to sail to when he used to go down to de
+high seas in de big ships,” continued Liza, as they went
+on.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They climbed two flights of stairs and reached the attic
+floor, which, like all the lower ones, had a broad hall running
+through it from front to back, with two large rooms
+on each side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Are all these rooms named after foreign countries?”
+inquired Em., as she stood in the spacious hall, which was
+lighted by a large window at each end.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, miss; and this here sow’wes’ one, which is to be
+yourn, is Cuba, ’cause it’s de warmest.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>“And the one back of mine—the southeast room—what
+is that called?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! Loosy anny, ’cause it’s warm an’ damp. An’ de
+rooms on de norf side ob de hall is—well, less se—de sow-ees’
+room is called Greenlan’, and de now’wes’ is ’Laska.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I declare that is quite interesting, Liza. When we have
+time I will get you to tell me the names of all the rooms in
+the house, but now introduce me into Cuba and then please
+have my trunk sent up right away.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, miss, I will. Here is your room,” answered the
+little maid, opening the door of the southwest room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. entered it and made a little exclamation of surprise
+and pleasure. It was a very attractive bower, if it <i>was</i> in
+the attic—a spacious chamber, with whitewashed walls, a
+sloping roof, a clean, bare floor, with rugs lying here and
+there; a broad fireplace, with a good fire of logs; four deep
+dormer windows, two looking to the west out upon the
+cedar-wooded ascent of the mountain, and two looking
+south, down the river, with a view of the opposite wooded,
+hilly shore, and a distant sight of the beautiful island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old-fashioned four-post bedstead, the tall chest of
+drawers, the “press” and the three-cornered washstand, the
+tables and the chairs were all of maple. The window curtains
+and the chair-covers were of yellow, flowered calico.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Altogether, the attic room had a spacious, cheerful,
+homely look that perfectly contented its new occupant.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She took off her shawl, folded it and put it away in one
+of the press shelves and placed her bonnet beside it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And by the time Em. had bathed her face and hands and
+brushed her hair the colored girl reappeared, accompanied
+by a strong man bringing the trunk.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. only detained Liza long enough to open her trunk
+and take from it a clean, white linen collar and pair of
+cuffs, which she added to her simple dress of brown merino.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then she followed the colored girl downstairs to a
+spacious, handsomely furnished chamber on the second
+floor, where she found Mrs. Bruce alone and busily engaged
+in cutting out work for her new seamstress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She spoke very kindly to Em., told her where she could
+sit down, and then she filled her hands with needlework
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>and placed a pile on a standing workbasket at her side and
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am now going downstairs to my guests. It is ten
+o’clock. The lunch bell will ring at one. You can then
+come down and join us. You can easily find your way to
+the dining-room—it is the back room on the north side of
+the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you, madam. Yes, I can easily find it,” said
+Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mrs. Bruce went down to the drawing-room and Em.
+stitched for three hours, her fingers busy with her needlework,
+her thoughts with Ronald Bruce. She felt sure that
+he had instigated his mother to engage her only for the
+sake of having her near him, and she rejoiced in the
+thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She never seriously reflected now how this love might
+end. It was happiness enough for the present to know
+that she was under the same roof with her lover, and that
+she would be sure to see him several times a day for weeks
+to come.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So she sat and stitched diligently, smiling dreamily over
+her work until the luncheon bell rang.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then she sprang up, smoothed her dress and her hair
+and tripped downstairs to the dining-room where the
+luncheon-table was spread.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IX<br> <span class='c006'>“THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>The course of true love never yet ran smooth;</div>
+      <div class='line'>For either ’twould be different in blood,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Or else misgrafted in respect of years.</div>
+      <div class='line'>Or else it stood upon the choice of friends;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Or, if there is a unity in all,</div>
+      <div class='line'>War, death or sickness will lay siege to it.</div>
+      <div class='line in34'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>But the family had not yet assembled. There was but
+One person in the room, and he sprang to meet her, caught
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>both of her hands, and would have saluted her with a kiss
+but that the quick, forbidding look in the young girl’s eyes
+arrested him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, well, I won’t, then!” he said; “but, oh, Em., I am
+so enraptured to see you! And did I not manage beautifully?
+As soon as I had got home from Annapolis, where
+that interminable investigation detained me so long, I was
+postively determined to have you here! So, my dear, having
+purposely left the bulk of my wardrobe behind, I told
+my mother that I had scarcely the thread of a garment left
+and must have several made up immediately. My poor
+mother, who is as new to this neighborhood as you or I, was
+immediately driven to her wit’s end for the wants of a
+seamstress. I knew she would be! So I recommended
+John Palmer’s daughters, knowing full well that there was
+but one among them who could suit my mother. So here
+you are, my love; and if I succeed in my plans, from here
+you will never go again without me! But hush! here is
+somebody else,” said Ronald, as old Commodore Bruce came
+into the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He was very much bowed and broken—his head was bald
+on the top, with a light fringe of silver-gray hair around
+his temples and the nape of his neck. He wore a dressing-gown
+of flowered India silk, wadded and lined and confined
+around the waist with a crimson silk cord and tassel.
+He stooped over his large, gold-headed cane as he walked.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Some men soon recover from severe bereavements, others
+never do. Commodore Bruce belonged to the latter class.
+He had never rallied from the overwhelming grief of
+Lonny’s loss.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Every year, on his son’s birthday, he had said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If my Lonny were now alive he would be this old.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And only in the beginning of <i>that</i> year he had said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, if my poor Lonny were alive now he would be thirty-five
+years old. In the very prime and pride of life, in the
+vigor and glory of his manhood!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Commodore Bruce came in slowly, leaning on his cane,
+as I said, and looking keenly from side to side as if to see
+who was in the room, for his sight was always dim.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, nobody here scarcely. These women are always
+unpunctual. They need a little navy discipline to train
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>them. But who is this? Who is this, Ronald?” he exclaimed
+as his eyes fell upon Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is Miss Palmer, a young lady my mother has staying
+with her,” said young Bruce not quite frankly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how do you do, my dear. I am very glad to see
+you. I hope you will enjoy yourself among us,” said the
+old man with formal politeness, taking her hand, yet
+scarcely looking in her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thank you, sir, but I am only Mrs. Bruce’s seamstress,”
+said Em., amending Ronald’s little error.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Eh?” exclaimed the commodore, looking more attentively
+in her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. repeated her assertion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But Commodore Bruce was not listening to her words or
+caring for them. He was gazing in her face as if he were
+transfixed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length he recovered himself, found his voice and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I beg your pardon, my dear, but I seem to have seen
+you somewhere else long before this.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir, you did—in the city, more than a year ago,
+when you were at the Indian Queen Hotel, and I carried
+home some shirts to you,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ay—ay—ay—ay! I remember that! But this was
+long, long before! Yet no, you could not be so told! It
+must be some one whom you closely resemble that I remember
+and am thinking of! Yes—yes! I know now! Ah,
+that poor, unhappy one! What has ever become of her?
+Where lies her broken heart? And she was my Lonny’s
+last charge to me before he left me for the last time.
+‘Father,’ he said, ‘for my sake be kind to poor Emolyn!’
+Ah! she was my poor boy’s sweetheart, I doubt! But she
+is gone! gone! This girl looks like her! Looks as she did
+before that blasting calamity fell upon her! An accidental
+likeness! The world is full of such! Yet I wish I had not
+seen it!” murmured the old man in a musing tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce led him to a chair, placed him in it, took
+the cane from his hand and set it up and then gave him a
+glass of wine.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the old man had drank this he seemed to be revived,
+for he turned to Em. and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not let my lucubrations disturb you, child!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>At that moment Mrs. Bruce and two other ladies entered
+the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked up, and to her intense amazement caught the
+eye of her former teacher, Mrs. Templeton.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, Emolyn Palmer!” she exclaimed in astonishment
+equal to Em.’s own. “Is it possible that this is <i>you</i>, my
+dear? Why, how came you to be here?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am Mrs. Bruce’s new seamstress,” answered Em.
+simply.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are! Well, I knew that she had taken a young girl
+in the house to sew, and I believe I heard she was the
+daughter of one Palmer, who was overseer at the Wilderness
+Manor; but I had no idea that it was <i>you</i>, my dear!
+I am <i>very</i> glad to see you again! And here is Hermia, who
+will be equally well pleased to meet her old schoolmate,”
+concluded Mrs. Templeton, as her daughter joined them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, indeed, I am very happy to see you so unexpectedly,
+Em.,” cordially exclaimed Miss Templeton, who
+had developed into a tall, queenly brunette of about nineteen
+years of age.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And oh! I am <i>so</i> glad and so <i>very</i> much surprised to
+see you, Miss Hermia,” heartily exclaimed Em., squeezing
+the offered hand of the young lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, did you not know that my mother was Commodore
+Bruce’s only sister? And that when he retired from the
+navy and settled down here he took her from her school and
+brought her here to keep house for him?” inquired Hermia,
+still holding the hand of her little schoolmate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I knew, at least I had heard, that Mrs. Templeton
+had a brother in the navy who had sent her son to the
+Naval Academy, and afterwards I heard that she had resigned
+her situation as teacher of the public school, and had
+gone to live with her brother; but I had not the least suspicion
+that it was Commodore Bruce!” said Em., still gazing
+with surprised eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes!” said Hermia, laughing. “And here we found
+my aunt, Mrs. David Bruce, his brother’s widow and her
+son Ronald. They are not rival queens, although this is
+but one kingdom and cannot be divided. No; though they
+are both here, there is no rivalry, and you will soon know
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>the reason,” concluded Hermia as she gave her friend’s
+hand a hearty squeeze.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mrs. Templeton, who had crossed the room to speak to
+Mrs. Bruce, now came back to Em., and again expressed
+her joy in meeting the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As for Em., she was bewildered with happiness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Every one spoke gently to her; every one smiled on her.
+She was received into the family circle more like a dear
+young relative than as a dependent.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But then the girl was so fair and lovely in person and
+manner that no one could have treated her with coldness
+or indifference.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And as for Ronald Bruce, who looked on all this from
+the opposite side of the room with the air of a careless
+spectator, he was really filled with delight at the success of
+his experiment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She will win all hearts,” he said to himself; “and being
+quick-witted as well as gentle and refined, she will soon
+catch the ‘shibboleth’ of our set—the thousand and one almost
+inscrutable and quite indescribable absurdities—</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c010'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“‘That mark the caste of Vere de Vere.’</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear girl! For myself I should only be too glad to introduce
+her into any society. And as to the old folks putting
+their heads together and setting their hearts on making a
+match between me and my Cousin Hermia—that is perfect
+nonsense! We like each other well enough; but we won’t
+marry each other. We’d die first!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While Ronald Bruce was ruminating the old commodore
+was growing impatient for his lunch.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, well, Catherine! Well, well, Margaret! what are
+we waiting for now?” he testily inquired.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Only for Mrs. and Miss Warde,” replied Mrs. Bruce.
+“These women! These women! They have no idea of
+the duty of punctuality! Ah! a little training on board a
+man-o’-war would improve their habits.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As the old man spoke Belinda Warde entered the room,
+apologizing, and saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mamma is not very well; but she will be down in a
+few moments, and begs that you will not wait.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>“I am sorry to hear that. But take your seats. She will
+join us presently,” said the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Belinda was now about thirty-five years old, a superb
+brunette, like her mother, and being well-preserved and
+well-dressed, she still passed among those who did not know
+her age as a young lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She stared for an instant at the little stranger in their
+midst, until Hermia said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is a schoolmate of mine—Miss Palmer—who has
+come to assist Aunt Bruce.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh!” said the young lady, and took her seat at the table,
+which was now full but for the vacant chair waiting for
+Mrs. Warde.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The meal progressed, but the absent lady did not make
+her appearance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A servant was sent up to ask her if she would have refreshments
+served in her room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>An answer was returned declining the offer with thanks,
+and desiring that the company would excuse her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Whimsical,” whispered the old commodore confidentially
+to his own white beard as he finished his “mayonnaise.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The luncheon was an informal meal, and one by one the
+party around the table dropped off, until no one was left
+but the commodore, his sister-in-law and Em., who, though
+she had finished eating, sat there because she was too timid
+to get up and leave while Mrs. Bruce remained.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Finally the three arose together, and Em. was about to
+hurry up to her needlework when the old commodore arrested
+her steps by saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stop, my dear; with my sister’s leave here, I want you
+to read the newspapers for me; the boy brought them from
+the post-office just before we sat down to lunch and they
+are not opened yet. Follow me to my study.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. stood still in perplexity and looked from the commodore
+to the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My dear brother, I, Ronald, or, indeed, any of us, will
+be most happy to be your reader, as we always have been,”
+said Mrs. Bruce hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, I know! I know! But this child has a sweet,
+fresh voice very pleasant to hear. So I am sure she can
+read most agreeably. I prefer to try her at any rate—that
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>is, if you have no objection, madam,” added the old man in
+a tone that warned his sister-in-law she must make no more
+opposition to his wishes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, <i>of course</i>, I have no objection, sir. I am only too
+happy if any one in my employment can be of the least
+service to you, to whom I owe so much. Miss Palmer,” she
+said, turning to Em., “attend Commodore Bruce to his
+study.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come here on my left, child,” said the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. obeyed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then, leaning with his right hand upon his stick and
+with his left upon Em.’s shoulder, he walked slowly from
+the dining-room, crossed the hall and passed into his study,
+which was in fact a handsome library in the southwest
+corner of the first floor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Supported by Em. and his stick he walked to a long
+table in the middle of the room and dropped into a large
+chair beside it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>On the table before him lay several newspapers still in
+their envelopes. He opened them one by one and spread
+them out.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, my child, draw up a chair and seat yourself on my
+right side—I am as deaf as a post on my left—and begin
+to read me the news.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where shall I begin?” softly inquired Em. when she
+had seated hemself and unfolded the paper. “Shall I read
+the speech of——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, bother, no; don’t; read the news—the murders, suicides,
+arsons, burglaries, robberies, and so forth; and if you
+can find any, the opposite sorts of things—the rescues, the
+reconciliations, the benefactions, and so on! Only don’t
+read speeches!” replied the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked all over the paper and found a long sensational
+account of a great fire and the rescue of a family
+of children by a brave fireman, who saved them at the imminent
+hazard of his own life.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Next she read of the discovery of a silver mine in the
+mountains of Virginia, which the old man instantly pronounced
+to be a hoax.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then of the laying of the corner-stone of a poor children’s
+hospital.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>But before she got through with this Em.’s flute-like voice
+had lulled the old man to rest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Missing his comments at last, she looked up, and found
+him fast asleep in his chair, and Ronald Bruce standing
+before her with his eyes full of laughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You have been reading to closed ears for about ten
+minutes, Em.,” said the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! is he asleep? Must I go?” inquired the girl, dropping
+her paper and preparing to rise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He is asleep; but you must not upon any account go
+until he wakes up and dismisses you! Don’t be afraid,
+however! <i>I’ll</i> stay and keep your company.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked perplexed, confused and utterly uncertain
+what to say.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear Em., keep your seat; I have got something that
+I must tell you in a plain, honest, straightforward way,
+even although you may know it well enough already. May
+I tell you now, this moment?” inquired the young man, as
+he drew a foot-stool and seated himself at the feet of the
+sleeping veteran, and very near to her also, it must be
+confessed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear Em., dearest Em., may I tell you now?” he
+repeated.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald, is it anything you would tell me in the presence
+of my mother?” timidly questioned the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes! in the presence of the whole world, if necessary.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then—say on,” whispered Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em. Palmer, I haven’t been like other young fellows,
+falling in and out of love with almost every pretty girl I
+ever saw since I was five years old! No! I have been to sea
+ever since I was a child, and I never, never, <i>never</i> knew
+what it was to love a girl, the least in the world, until I
+met you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! <i>do</i> please don’t talk so! I <i>know</i> you wouldn’t talk
+so to me if my mother was sitting there right before us!”
+murmured Em., beginning to tremble.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“May I never be saved if I would not! I would tell you
+I love you if all the mothers, fathers, aunts, and uncles,
+and guardians in Christendom were sitting on stiff, high-backed
+chairs in a circle around us! There! For it is the
+blessed truth! I <i>do</i> love you, Em., with all my heart and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>soul and life! I began to love you from the first moment I
+ever saw you! Yes, and I perceived that you also began to
+love me about the same time!” he added triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Ronald,” breathed Em., her face dyed with blushes,
+“was I so forward?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Forward!’ No. You little, sensitive plant. The opposite
+of all that—so shrinking you were! But, oh, Em.,
+I began to love you from the first moment I ever saw you,
+and I have loved you more and more ever since; and the
+more I have loved you the more my spirit has gone forth
+in good-will to all the world. My heart was as pure and
+fresh as your own, Em., and no heart could be purer and
+fresher when I gave it to you; and that heart has remained
+as true and constant as your own, Em., through these years
+of absence and silence, when no word of love or of plighted
+faith had passed between us!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Ronald, Ronald, I am so frightened,” she murmured.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why should you be even uneasy? Listen, love! Listen,
+loveliest! By all the signs I have told you do I know that
+ours is the real, true, holy, heavenly love, and not one of
+its plausible counterfeits.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Ronald, is it right for you to talk to me in this
+way?” she breathed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Right? It is righteous!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, how can it end? You are a young gentleman of
+rank and wealth; I, a poor, half educated girl, the child of
+a man of the laboring classes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do not care! I will tell you how it will end, Em.
+It will end in our happy marriage. In the first place, let
+me tell you that I am of age, and <span class='fss'>NO ONE</span>, however near and
+dear, however rich and influential, shall control my choice
+in that which would be the most important act of my life
+and the nearest to my heart. I will not lead <i>you</i> into any
+disobedience, Em. If the old folks do object to our union
+I will wait until you are of age, and then I will marry you,
+love—I will Em., I will, ‘Though mammy and daddy and
+a’ gang mad!’ Yes! though my crotchety old kinsman here
+should disinherit and turn me out of the house, get me
+discharged from the navy, and leave me to earn our living
+by breaking stones on the highway. If you will only be constant,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>Em., as I know you will be, I will marry you in spite
+of them all. I will marry you in spite of fate and fortune;
+and I don’t care a button who hears me say so! <span class='sc'>Oh!</span>”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>This last exclamation was called forth by the sight of old
+Commodore Bruce sitting straight up in his chair, very
+wide awake, and staring at them.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER X<br> <span class='c006'>SURPRISE</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line in30'>The spell,</div>
+      <div class='line'>The mightiest upon earth—the spell of love,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Familiar, mutual, requited love—</div>
+      <div class='line'>Shall be upon thee; and its charmed power</div>
+      <div class='line'>Shall at each moment, at a wish, call up</div>
+      <div class='line'>More wealth than ever crossed the desert sands,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Gems, purer, costlier far than Araby’s;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Unsunned treasures from that richest mine,</div>
+      <div class='line'>The human heart.                    <span class='sc'>Pocahontas.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“<span class='sc'>Oh</span>!” echoed the old man, while the young people
+looked at him aghast. “Eh? What? It seems I’ve been
+nodding and you’ve caught me! Very rude of me to fall
+asleep while you were reading, my dear! You might have
+won a pair of gloves, eh?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was evident from the commodore’s words that he had
+not heard a word of Donald Bruce’s reckless talk, but had
+indeed but just at that instant waked up.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I hope you had a refreshing nap, sir,” said Em., who
+was the first to recover her self-possession.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes—yes—yes—yes! I had a very refreshing nap!
+Brief, but very refreshing. ‘Forty winks,’ as the saying is,
+you know, my dear; just lost myself, that is all!” said the
+old man, apparently unconscious that he had been sound
+asleep for two hours.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I hope you feel revived, sir,” said Ronald, now plucking
+up heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes—yes, quite so! But how the deuce did you come
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>here, Ronald? What do you want?” demanded the commodore,
+bethinking himself now of the unexpected presence
+of his nephew.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I want to go to Greyrock this afternoon. Will you let
+me have Warlock?” inquired the young man with quick
+invention.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Ronald!” testily exclaimed the elder, “why will
+you reiterate a request that you know, for your own sake,
+I must deny? No! You cannot have that four-legged
+fiend! No! I will not have your neck broken during <i>my</i>
+lifetime by any concession of mine. No! Once for all, you
+can not, and you never <i>can</i> have Warlock! You may ride
+any other horse in the stable—in fact, you may ride any
+other four-footed creature on the estate, and you know it.
+But you sha’n’t risk your life on Warlock,” emphatically
+declared the commodore, bringing down his doubled fist
+with force upon the table as a finality.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, sir; of course you must be obeyed,” said
+Ronald with a slight shrug of his handsome shoulders. “I
+shall not, however, take any of the other horses. If I cannot
+have Warlock I do not care to take a ride to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No! I thought you only wished to go to Greyrock for
+the sake of risking your precious neck on Warlock’s vicious
+back. But you shall not do it. I shall sell that horse the
+first chance I get. Now, then, go about your business,
+Ronald, and send my man here. It is time to dress for
+dinner. You may go, also, my dear; but don’t go back to
+my sister-in-law and sit down to sewing, I command you.
+And, mind, my commands are paramount on this ship!
+You have been sitting enough to-day for a young one. Go
+now and take a turn in the fresh air of the grounds. There!
+Be off with you both. ’SCAT!!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The conscience-stricken young pair hurried from the
+library by different doors—Ronald going out into the hall,
+and Em. descending the steps through a French window
+that opened upon the front yard.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>That yard so widely different from all the other houseyards
+she had ever seen in her life; that yard so savage in
+rocky desolation, so sublime in magnificent prospect.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The house, as I said, stood upon a natural plateau about
+half way up the front of the precipice, directly overhanging
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>the river. The yard extended some thirty feet to the extreme
+edge of the precipice, which was defended by a stone
+wall about breast high. There was no gate or outlet from
+this front wall. The approach to the house, as I told you,
+was from behind, and the entrance to the yard was at the
+side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. walked to the wall, leaned over it, and looked down
+the sheer descent of a wooded steep a thousand feet to the
+river that flowed at its foot. What abysms of darkness and
+mystery were in the depths of the shadowy foliage so far
+below! There, in those deep caverns, doubtless, the wildcat
+made her lair and reared her young; there, among those
+gray crags, the eagle built her nest and brooded over her
+eggs. No gentler creatures of the earth or air could surely
+find their homes among such savage desolation, though
+Em. as she stood there leaning over the wall and gazing
+down the dreadful descent.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length she raised her eyes and looked around, and beheld
+a prospect magnificent beyond all words to portray.
+Spread out before her was the beautiful valley, with the
+river flowing in the midst, and the undulating, wooded hills
+rising beyond, all now royally arrayed in the gorgeous hues
+of autumn, and refulgently lighted up by the glorious rays
+of the setting sun.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ah! how brief are the moments of such splendid effects!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Even as Em. gazed the sun sank down behind the mountains
+at her back, and all the valley faded into twilight.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. turned away and walked around the side of the
+house and passed to the rear.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There the precipice presented a different aspect. Instead
+of descending to the river it ascended to the clouds, and
+from a fissure in the rock, to the left of the stables, sprang
+a fountain that grew in volume as it fell from rock to rock,
+and rushed roaring into the river below.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. knew—because she had heard, in the conversation
+between Ronald Bruce and her father on that evening when
+the former had stayed all night in the old manor-house—that
+the cultivated farms belonging to The Breezes estate
+were all in the valley below, and that these mountain ranges
+were only valuable for their quarries of blue limestone; but
+she wondered exceedingly at the eccentricity of the first
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>proprietor, who had built his dwelling-house on this mere
+shelf of rock half way up the mountain side, with an ascending
+precipice behind it, and a descending precipice before it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She remained out until the twilight faded into darkness,
+and then she went into the house and ran up to her attic
+chamber, where the care of the little colored girl Liza had
+already lighted two wax candles and set them on the toilet-table,
+and had mended the wood fire which burned brightly
+on the hearth.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. brushed her hair and ran a narrow blue ribbon
+through its brown ringlets, then put a blue bow to the
+meeting of her linen collar; and so, having made the best
+toilet she could for dinner with well-dressed ladies she put
+out her candles and left the room to go downstairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The upper halls were dimly lighted, each by a little lamp
+at the back end.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. had just reached the landing on the second story
+and was hurrying down the hall when a door on the left
+opened and a tall, dark, handsome woman, richly dressed,
+but looking older than either Mrs. Bruce or Mrs. Templeton,
+came out and carelessly approached Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They stood face to face. The lady lifted her eyes
+haughtily to those of the girl that for the moment stood
+in her way. But when their gaze met the lady’s great black
+eyes dilated wide with terror, with horror! Her face
+blanched to the pallor of death, her frame shook as with an
+ague.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Begone!</span>” she shrieked. “Why do you come to haunt
+me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And with these words she fell to the floor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em., paralyzed by amazement, stood speechless and motionless
+over the woman whom she had so involuntarily
+appalled and overwhelmed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the shriek and the fall had startled others. Four
+opposite doors flew open and four women rushed out of
+their rooms to see what was the matter and to behold Em.
+standing like a statue of Fear over the prostrate form of
+Malvina Warde.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In the name of Heaven, what does all this mean, Miss
+Palmer!” demanded Mrs. Bruce, stooping to examine the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>condition of her guest, while Mrs. Templeton, Hermia, and
+Belinda gathered around them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She has fainted,” said Mrs. Templeton.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The four women raised the unconscious form and laid
+it on the hall lounge.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How did this happen, Miss Palmer?” inquired Mrs.
+Bruce while they all began to use the common methods of
+reviving a swooning woman—bathing her head, beating her
+hands, and applying sal volatile to her nose.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why don’t you answer, Miss Palmer?” demanded Mrs.
+Bruce without pausing in her efforts.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—I don’t know,” stammered the frightened girl. “I
+had just run downstairs and turned around when I met this
+lady coming out of that door. We came on each other suddenly,
+and she stared and screamed and fell. I think she
+took me for a ghost.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is very strange,” said Mrs. Templeton; “but, then,
+Malvina has had heart disease for some years, and a little
+thing startles her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not be alarmed. Mamma is subject to these fainting
+fits,” said Belinda Warde; “lay her head quite low and she
+will soon recover.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They followed the daughter’s advice, and the mother
+gave signs of returning consciousness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You had better go down, my dear. Since it was the
+sight of you that first startled her you had better not be
+one of the first objects that her eyes meet on opening,” said
+Mrs. Templeton.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Gladly enough Em. left the circle and went downstairs.
+A feeling of repulsion had come over her at the sight of
+that woman for which she could in no way account.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is strange, and unjust, and sinful,” said the girl to
+herself as she tripped downstairs. “That woman never did
+me any harm in all the days of my life! She never even
+knew me any more than I did her, and yet it is true that I
+feel such a loathing of her as I never felt for any living
+creature before. I must pray it away! It will not do! I
+will not have hatred in my heart—particularly such a
+wicked, unnatural, and unreasonable hatred as this. I will
+do that lady every kind service I possibly can, and I will try
+to overcome this sudden hatred of an inoffensive stranger.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>In the lower hall she found Ronald Bruce, standing and
+staring upward.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What is the row upstairs? Was it a mouse, or a spider,
+or a candle moth that caused all that screaming and running?”
+he inquired.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! Ronald, it was I,” said Em. compunctiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You! What did you do?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! I suppose I came running down the attic stairs too
+swiftly and too silently——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Were you expected to creep down noisily, like an old
+cripple on crutches?” laughingly demanded the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nonsense, Ronald! You must know I glided down and
+met Mrs. Warde in the gloom, and she screamed and
+fainted.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Was that it? Ha, ha, ha!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t laugh, Ronald. She took me for a ghost.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then she must have a bad conscience, that is all I can
+say about it! Em., I hate that woman!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t, Ronald. That is wicked, even supposing she ever
+injured you, which perhaps she never did.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, she never did. Nor did ever snakes or scorpions
+injure me, yet I hate them; and I hate that woman as I hate
+them, with an instinctive hatred.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We should not hate anything; we should not permit the
+feeling of hate to take any root in our hearts,” began Em.,
+but before she could preach her bit of a sermon she was
+interrupted by the appearance of Commodore Bruce, who
+came out of his study to cross the hall on his way to the
+drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What was the matter just now? Which of the women
+was in hysterics?” he carelessly inquired.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mrs. Warde met Miss Palmer in the twilight, and
+taking her for a ghost, screamed and fainted,” replied
+Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Humph! I don’t wonder, seeing that she persecuted to
+death one who was as much like Miss Palmer as though they
+had been twin sisters. Ah, well!” said the old man to himself
+as he passed on his way, “I am only a little less culpable
+than herself, seeing that I should have looked after the
+orphan girl whom my poor lad loved and committed to my
+charge with his parting words. I have often wondered what
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>he meant when he said that he would have something to
+tell me which would surprise and please me, but that his
+lips were sealed by honor until he should return from his
+three years’ voyage—that voyage, ah, Heaven! from which
+he never came back! I often suspected that that unfortunate
+child was——But what is the use of speculating?
+The poor boy is gone, the girl is lost, and the child is dead.
+The past is beyond recall, and therefore beyond regret,”
+concluded the commodore as he passed to his arm-chair in
+the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. had followed him, and naturally Ronald had followed
+Em., and while she busied her nimble fingers by arranging
+the books and bijouterie on the center-table Ronald
+stood by her side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The dinner-bell rang.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, where are all these women? Unpunctual as usual.
+I wish I had them all on board a man-o’-war in the middle
+of the Atlantic Ocean! I’d train ’em into punctuality!
+Where are they, I wonder?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They are attending to Mrs. Warde, I think, sir,” said
+Em. soothingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Attending to Mrs. Warde? Does it take four able-bodied
+women to attend to a single hysterical one? Let
+’em throw a pitcher of cold water over her head—that will
+fetch her to,” growled the old man as he arose from his
+seat and took his cane and crept towards the dining-room,
+followed by Em., who was pursued by Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You always run after uncle! You never stay behind a
+moment to let me have a word alone with you,” complained
+the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, because it is not right far me to do so,” replied Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What! Not when we are engaged to be married?” he
+whispered.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We are not engaged. We cannot be engaged without
+the consent of parents and friends,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Eh! Why, did I not swear to marry you, whether or
+no?” he hurriedly whispered, for the ladies of the household
+were hastening downstairs, and before Em. could reply they
+were close behind the lovers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They all entered the lighted dining-room together and
+seated themselves at the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>“Well! How is Malvina? Got over her fainting fit?”
+inquired the commodore as he seated himself at the foot
+of the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, not entirely; but she is lying down in her room
+carefully watched over by Liza. She will not be able to
+join us this evening,” replied Mrs. Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Humph!” exclaimed the commodore, neither very sympathetically
+nor credulously.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When dinner was over the family adjourned to the drawing-room.
+The old man settled himself in his arm-chair
+and went to sleep. Belinda Warde placed herself beside
+Ronald Bruce, and with something like her mother’s powers
+of fascination held him bound for hours. The three other
+ladies drew around the center-table with their fancy work of
+embroidery or crochet. And Em. spent the very dullest
+evening she had ever passed in all her life.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At ten o’clock precisely Commodore Bruce rang up all
+the servants, sent for the old family Bible and conducted
+the evening prayers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then he peremptorily sent every one off to bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. was glad to reach her attic, which had already begun
+to seem like home in its privacy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It remained just as she had left it four hours before,
+except that the fire was burning so low that it scarcely half
+lighted the large room with its lurid glow.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was a box of wood in one corner near the fireplace,
+and Em. took a few sticks and laid them on the smoldering
+logs, and soon had a cheerful blaze.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then she took down one of the candles from the mantelpiece,
+and was about to light it when she started to hear a
+voice behind her exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dere now! I jes’ dis minute got ’lieved offen duty to
+Miss Melwiny Warde, which I had to set by her and watch
+her until Miss Belindy came up to bed and let me go, and
+den I ran right up here fas’ ever I could to fix your fire and
+light your candles, and you gone and done it all yourself
+’dout de slightest ’sideration for my feelings.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I didn’t know that you were coming, Liza,” said Em.
+in a gentle tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, see dere, now! Didn’t know I was coming; didn’t
+have no conf’ence in me. Course I was coming, on’y I was
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>’tained so long dere tending to Miss Malwiny Warde. Takes
+all de house to ’tend to she?” grumbled Liza as she went
+about her duties, mending the fire, lighting the candles on
+the dressing-table, turning down the bed and so on.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When she had completed her work she stopped and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Miss Em., ef you’s afeard to sleep by yourself I’ll
+fetch a little mattriss from t’other room and sleep down
+here ’fore the fire to keep you company.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, thank you. You are very kind to think of it,
+Liza, but I am not at all afraid.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You know dere ain’t nobody sleeps up here in dis
+garret ’sides you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is there not? But it is of no consequence.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, you better let me stay up here long o’ you, Miss
+Em. ’Deed you had.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, thank you, but it is not necessary that you should.
+Besides, what would Mrs. Bruce say to your changing your
+sleeping place?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, she! Lor’ bless you, Miss Em., ole Marse Commodo’
+<i>he’s</i> marster and mist’ess, too, in dis house, and he
+ax me to-day, he say, ‘Lizer, where dey put dat young girl
+to sleep?’ I say, ‘Up in the garret.’ He say, ‘I thought
+so. Now you sleep on a pallet in her room if she is afraid
+to stay by herself, you hear?’ I say, ‘Yas, marster.’ And
+so, Miss Em., I come up faithful to offer my services.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are very kind. And so is your dear old master.
+He shows very great consideration for me. But, as I said
+before, I do not need you, Liza. By the way, where do you
+generally sleep?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! out’n de house in a room ober de stables, which
+dere are six rooms dere, where de servants sleep, ’cept de
+cook and de two kitchen-maids. Dey sleep in a room ober
+de kitchen.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, then, Liza, perhaps as it is late, you had
+better go now. Shall I come downstairs and lock the door
+after you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, lor’, no, Miss! I locks de door and takes de key
+ebery night myself, so as to let myself in in de morning to
+wait on de ladies! But it ain’t so awful late, after all, Miss
+Em. It ain’t no more an’ a quarter arter ten o’clock, so
+wouldn’t you like to go through de other rooms in this
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>garret and look at ’em? ’Sides which, it would be good
+to ’xamine, and be sure as dere ain’t no robbers nor nuffin’
+hid away in dese rooms, and you up here by yourself,” persisted
+Liza.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, what a wise little woman you are! I’m not afraid
+of ‘robbers nor nuffin’,’” said Em., smiling; “but I have
+‘a cat-like love of garrets,’ and so we will look at these other
+rooms, Liza. You take one candle ond I will take another,
+so we will have light enough.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XI<br> <span class='c006'>HIDDEN LOVE</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>They seem to those who see them meet,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>The worldly friends of every day;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Her smile is still serene and sweet,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>His courtesy is free and gay;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Yet if by one the other’s name</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Should in some careless hour be heard,</div>
+      <div class='line'>The heart we thought so calm and tame</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Would struggle like a captive bird.</div>
+      <div class='line in30'><span class='sc'>Moncton Miles.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>The colored girl did as she was directed, and led the
+way to the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We calls de hall Canady, ’cause it’s so big and cold,”
+said Liza, holding up her candle that Em. might view it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was nothing at all to be seen in it, except bare floor
+and bare walls, the head of the stairs, at one end, a large
+front window at the other, and two doors on each side leading
+into the four rooms. These rooms were not connected
+with each other, but opened only on the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yur room is de sou’west room, Miss Em., and called
+Cuba, ’cause it’s warm and dry. Now less us go in de
+sou’east room, next to your’n, which we call Louisiany,
+’cause it’s warm and damp.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They entered that room, which had a musty and mouldy
+atmosphere of age and decay, and was furnished with a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>miscellaneous assortment of old furniture that seemed to
+have served its time out in the state chambers below, and
+had been retired to the rest and seclusion of the attic.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I would like to look out of the window,” said Em.,
+going to the front one and throwing open the shutters.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But she only looked down on the same scene by starlight
+as she had beheld by sunset—the descent of the precipice,
+the river, and the undulating, wooded hills beyond.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, less look in de rooms on de north side,” said Liza,
+going across the hall. “Now this nor’east room we calls
+Newfoun’lan’, ’cause it’s so cold and damp,” she added as
+she led the way in.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was filled up, as the other two were, with furniture
+that had once been very handsome and costly, but was now
+worn out and dilapidated.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A glance into the room sufficed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Miss Em., I sorter to think as you’ll like dis last
+room better’n all de rest—dis nor’west room which we do
+call Alasky, because it is bofe cold and dry. It’s de lumber-room
+for de whole ’stablishment, and dere’s ebber so many
+funny and cur’us objects in it,” said the little maid as she
+admitted Em. into the fourth room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is ‘a curiosity shop!’” exclaimed Em., looking
+around upon a heterogeneous multitude of articles that
+seemed to be the collection of a century—as most likely it
+was.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There were costly fragments of furniture, curiously
+carved chair-backs without seats; elaborately embroidered
+cushions without chairs; richly gilded frames without pictures;
+old, disfigured pictures without frames; busts without
+heads; statuettes without hands or feet; vases without
+pedestals; or pedestals without vases, and an innumerable
+quantity of other things too bewildering to contemplate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. took up one object after another with curious interest,
+until at length her eyes fell upon a frameless, dusty,
+dark-looking picture, half hidden among broken vases and
+crippled statuettes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was the portrait of a youth in a midshipman’s uniform.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. took her handkerchief and wiped the dusty face
+and looked at it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A bright, frank, boyish face; a pair of merry black eyes;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>a smiling lip, shadowed by a slight mustache; a brown complexion
+and short, curling black hair, met her gaze.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The eyes seemed to meet hers with a mischievious, conscious
+twinkle, so that she herself smiled into the smiling
+face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Her heart warmed and melted before it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Liza,” she said, “is this a portrait, or is it a fancy
+sketch? Oh, how life-like it is. And to be pushed away
+with all this rubbish! Is it a portrait, Liza?” she eagerly
+inquired.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Which, Miss Em.? That? Oh, yes! That’s poor, dear
+Marse Lonny’s pictur’,” replied the girl, approaching and
+holding the candle to it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Who is Marse Lonny, Liza?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Marse Lonny Bruce, miss, which was ole Marse Commodo’s
+onliest son, and was lost at sea on his fust v’yage,
+in de Benighted States man-o’-war <i>Eagle</i>, which it broke his
+mother’s heart to that degree as she pined away and died in
+less than a year afterwards.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do not wonder, indeed,” said Em., gazing almost
+fondly on the bright frank face before her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And dey do say de commodo’ have never been de same
+man since. I don’t memorize poor Marse Lonny as well as
+I ought to, he being ole marster’s onliest son, and lost at
+sea; but, den, Miss Em., it ain’t my fault, ’cause I wasn’t
+born den; hows’ever, mammy memorizes all about him, and
+de very day he got his middy’s new uniform, and de fust
+time he ever put it on, which it is de self-same his portrait
+is painted in.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And this is his portrait,” murmured Em. in a low voice
+as she knelt down before the picture to get a nearer and a
+better view.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, miss, de onliest portrait as he ebber had took, and
+it was took that spring, jes’ ’fore he sailed on dat misfortnit
+v’yage whar he was lost.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And why is it poked away in the lumber-room? It
+seems a cruel slight.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, my dear Miss Em., ’cause de ole marster he nebber
+could endure de sight ob it arter poor Marse Lonny was
+drowned. If ebber he come across it by accident it would
+knock him ober for all day. His onliest son, you know,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>Miss Em. So Mrs. Bruce, which hab kept house for ole
+marse ebber since his wife died, Mrs. Bruce she put de
+picture—hung it up on de wall, you know, miss, first in one
+room and den in t’other, but ole marster was sure to come
+upon it in his rambles about the house some time or other,
+and be upset for a whole day; so den de madam put it in
+dis here garret lumber-room, whar nobody nebber comes,
+not eben ole marster.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Liza,” eagerly exclaimed Em., “since it is pushed
+away in this rubbish room, do you think I might not have
+it in my room? If I were to ask Mrs. Bruce do you think
+she would let me have it while I stay here?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No call to bother de madam ’bout it. De madam gib
+me my orders to fix up your room comfortable and ’tractive,
+and to take anything out ob de lumber-room dat might be
+useful. And didn’t I take de fender and de handy irons
+out ob de lumber-room and mightn’t I take de picture?
+Yes, miss! I’ll take de picture and de ’sponsibility bofe!”
+said Liza; and suiting the action to the word she gave Em.
+her candle, pulled away the <i>impedimenti</i> from before the
+portrait, lifted it from its place and carried it away to the
+southwest room, followed by Em., bearing the two lights.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em.’s looking-glass stood upon the dressing-table. There
+was no glass on top of the old chest of drawers, but a good,
+vacant place for the portrait, and there they set it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, to-morrow, Miss Em., I’ll hunt over de lumber-room
+to try and find a frame dat will fit it. It <i>used</i> to have
+a frame of its own, but de old madam took it to put another
+pictur’ in. Hows’ever, I know I can find one to fit it there,
+’cause you see, Miss Em., whenever I wants anything as I
+haven’t got, and can’t get anywhere else, I takes a broomstick
+and I goes up into the lumber-room, and I tosses up
+everything till I finds what I want. So now, Miss Em., I
+bids you good-night, and to-morrow we’ll frame de pictur’
+and hang it up anywhere you like,” said the kind-hearted
+colored girl as she left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. went to the door and watched until she heard Liza
+go all the way downstairs and leave the house, locking the
+back door behind her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then she returned to her own room, fastened herself in,
+and fell to the contemplation of the portrait.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>The bright, frank, joyous face that seemed to smile in
+hers fascinated her to such a degree that she could scarcely
+withdraw her gaze for a moment from it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have read, or heard, that every one fated to die by
+any sudden or violent catastrophe carries the shadow of the
+coming ill on brow or cheek; but surely no prevision of
+early death darkens this glad young face!” she murmured
+to herself as she gazed with infinite sympathy, tenderness
+and compassion on this counterfeit presentment of the unfortunate
+young midshipman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The sonorous hall clock began to strike eleven. Like
+hammer on anvil its strokes rang through the house. Em.,
+with a long, lingering gaze, left the portrait and prepared
+for bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So ended her first day at the mountain house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em., wearied with the various fatigues and excitements
+of the time, slept soundly until morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She was finally awakened by a rap at her door and the
+voice of her little maid calling:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It’s half-past seven, Miss Em., and de ladies has breakfas’
+at eight.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Quite right! I will be ready in time,” said Em. as soon
+as she had collected her scattered senses and remembered
+where she was; for, indeed, on being first aroused from her
+sleep she could scarcely “place herself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Please to open de door and let me in to make your
+fire, Miss Em.,” said Liza.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. jumped out of the bed and complied with the request.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then her eyes fell upon the pictured face of Lonny Bruce—brighter,
+gladder, more joyous looking by the morning
+light than it had seemed the evening before.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. greeted it with such a smile as she would have given
+to a living and beloved face, and then while her little maid
+kindled her fire she made her simple morning toilet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She made such good haste that when she reached the
+breakfast-room she found none of the family except Ronald
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, Em. I was in hopes you would be down
+first, so I came here on purpose to wait for you, Em. I
+want you to promise to marry me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>“Oh, Ronald, you know I cannot do that without the
+knowledge and consent of all your family and all mine,”
+replied Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, but <i>with</i> their knowledge and consent,” urged
+the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They will never, <i>never</i> give it, Ronald! Your family
+are too proud to consent to receive the daughter of a poor
+overseer as a relative. And <i>my</i> family are much too proud
+to permit their daughter to enter any household where she
+would not be most welcome.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, Em., what in the Blue Dees do you mean? Is the
+wicked, diabolical pride of your old folks and mine to interfere
+with our lives, so as to make us both miserable all our
+days?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t know, Ronald; but we must do what is right.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald’s impatient reply was checked by the entrance of
+Commodore Bruce, who greeted his nephew and the young
+girl kindly, and then growled as usual at the <i>punctual unpunctuality</i>
+of the ladies of his household.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You can never rely on them but for one thing, and that
+is for always being behind time. Ah! here they are at last!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The ladies entered, interchanged the morning salutations,
+and then they all went to breakfast.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was not until they were all seated at the table that
+Commodore Bruce missed Mrs. Warde, and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, how is Malvina? Is she not sufficiently recovered
+from her hysterics yet to come down?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mamma does not feel strong enough to rise this morning,
+but she will try to join us at dinner in the evening,”
+Belinda explained.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The breakfast was then discussed, and when it was over
+and the family party arose from the table, Em. was about to
+leave the room when again the old commodore stopped her,
+saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My dear, don’t run away! I want you to finish reading
+the papers for me, and I will promise not to go to sleep.
+I never go to sleep in the forenoon, however.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked at Mrs. Bruce for directions.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Go with the commodore, child,” said that lady condescendingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. followed the old man to the library, where he seated
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>himself in his easy-chair, lay back at rest, and pointed to
+another chair, telling Em. to draw it up, seat herself and
+commence reading.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. obeyed him and spent the whole forenoon in perusing
+the papers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was nearly two o’clock when she got through.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, now, my dear, you have given me a great deal of
+pleasure, and I thank you; but I will not trouble you again
+until Friday. The mails come in but twice a week to Greyrock—on
+Tuesdays and Fridays. Then I get my papers,
+and you shall read them to me. Go now and take a run in
+the fresh air until luncheon. Young blood requires a great
+deal of oxygen. Go.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. wished to say something, but could not think what.
+She turned to go; then looked over her shoulder, and seeing
+the pale, gray, feeble old man, with his chin bowed upon his
+breast in an attitude of depression, weakness and sorrow,
+her heart was filled with compassionate tenderness for him,
+and she lingered, looking lovingly on him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>One thin, white, withered hand hung down by his side.
+With a sudden impulse of strange affection she stepped forward,
+raised the hand to her lips, dropped it, and would
+have hurried away; but the hand she had kissed was laid in
+benediction on her bright young head as the old man murmured:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“God bless you, my child! How kindly that was meant.
+Go now and take your walk.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. left the room, ran up to her attic chamber for hat
+and shawl, and then ran downstairs out of the house to the
+stony front yard overlooking the descent of the precipice.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here she was quickly joined by Ronald Bruce, who had
+seen her from the front drawing-room windows and ran
+out into the place.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em.,” he whispered as he joined her, “you have not answered
+my question yet. Are we both to be made miserable
+all our lives by the sinful pride of our relatives?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I did answer you, Ronald; but I will answer you
+again. We cannot tell how this will end; but whatever
+other people do, <i>we</i> must do what is right. And, Ronald, if
+you <i>do</i> care for me, as I believe, please do not follow me
+about or try to meet me anywhere. It is not discreet. Now
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>do but look! There is Miss Belinda Warde watching us
+from the front parlor windows!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald turned to catch a glimpse of the lady’s face,
+which was withdrawn the instant it was detected.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am going in,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So am I,” said Ronald. “I only came out here to speak
+to you, and I don’t care if all the fine ladies in Christendom
+watch me. I will let them see that I love you, Em.;
+for I <i>do</i> love you, and I <i>will</i> marry you in spite of them all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They returned to the house and Em. ran upstairs to get
+ready for lunch.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald went into the drawing-room, sulkily threw himself
+into a chair, took up a book and pretended to be absorbed
+in reading, in order to escape any interchange of
+words with Miss Warde.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But still he did not feel any more at ease when Belinda,
+with an offended air, arose and left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The family met at luncheon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Commodore Bruce treated Em. with more than previous
+kindness; but the sensitive girl perceived a shadow of coldness
+in the manner of the ladies towards her, and she wondered
+whether Miss Warde had not been making mischief
+by certain misrepresentations.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After luncheon, just as the ladies were about to leave the
+room, Mrs. Bruce called to Em.:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Miss Palmer, I wish to speak with you alone. Follow
+me to my room.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I was going there, madam, to resume my needlework,”
+replied Em. as she obeyed the directions of the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they had reached Mrs. Bruce’s chamber the latter
+inquired:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When is your father coming for you, Miss Palmer?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“On Saturday evening, madam, when he will take me
+home to stay over Sunday, if you please,” modestly and
+respectfully replied the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well. It pleases me quite well. And you need
+not take the trouble to return on Monday. I shall have no
+further occasion for your services after this week,” said the
+lady with cold hauteur.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. turned deadly sick at heart and ghastly pale with
+mortification and disappointment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>But before her faltering lips could form a reply another
+voice came from the open door, saying defiantly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am very glad to hear that, madam; for after this
+week I shall require all the young lady’s society all to myself.
+Yes, and with her consent I mean to retain it just
+so long as we both shall live.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XII<br> <span class='c006'>LOVE IN THE TOILS</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>You may as well go stand upon the beach</div>
+      <div class='line'>And bid the main flood bate his usual height;</div>
+      <div class='line'>You may as well use question with the wolf</div>
+      <div class='line'>Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb;</div>
+      <div class='line'>You may as well go bid the mountain pines</div>
+      <div class='line'>Still their high tops and make no further noise,</div>
+      <div class='line'>When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven;</div>
+      <div class='line'>You may as well do anything most hard,</div>
+      <div class='line'>As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)—</div>
+      <div class='line'>His stubborn heart.</div>
+      <div class='line in38'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the
+doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane
+and the other against the frame of the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, it is you, uncle! You quite startled me. Please
+come in,” said Mrs. Bruce, recovering from her momentary
+panic.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you. I intended to,” said the old man, advancing
+and sinking into the great cushioned arm-chair which
+Em., rallying from her shock, had wheeled for his accommodation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sit down, child; it is not good for young spines to stand
+up too much,” he added as he settled himself comfortably.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. took a chair at a little distance and picked up the
+needlework on which she had been engaged the day before.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You say you will not require the services of this young
+lady after next Saturday?” inquired the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>“Yes, I have told her so; the work we have on hand will
+be finished by that time, and I shall have no more for her,”
+answered Mrs. Bruce, considerably modifying the tones of
+haughtiness and contempt with which she had spoken to
+the poor girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am very glad to hear you say so, for I would like to
+have her services all to myself, to read or write for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, my dear uncle, Ronald would be most happy to do
+all this for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, and look confoundedly bored all the time. No; I
+want this girl.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If you must have a young girl, I am sure our niece,
+Hermia, would be delighted to——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I shouldn’t, then; there!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Or I, myself, if you would accept my services, would
+be——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, very much, my dear, I will not trouble you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, there is Mrs. Warde, who really is a very
+fine elocutionist——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I don’t want to be elocutionized; particularly by
+Mrs. Warde. Malvina is a fine woman for her age, but she
+has a voice between a trumpet and a hand-saw. I want
+Miss Palmer and no one else,” persisted the veteran.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“One would really think the poor fool was in love with
+the girl and meant to marry her! But, still, that is not
+very likely,” said Mrs. Bruce to herself with a shrug of her
+handsome shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She did not, however, proffer the services of the only remaining
+lady of the household—Miss Belinda Warde; for
+she could not tell what other matrimonial whim might enter
+into the old man’s mind or be put into it by the constant
+presence of the handsome brunette.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am sure, uncle, if you will permit me, I could find a
+much more suitable companion than this young girl,”
+rather sulkily persisted Mrs. Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, very much, my dear; but <i>I</i> think the companion
+that <i>suits</i> me best is the most <i>suitable</i>. I say I will
+have Miss Palmer. Let the question rest. Come here, my
+child.” (This was to Em.)</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young girl laid down her work and came to the side
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>of the old man, who took her hand and looked benignly in
+her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. smiled, though her tears were ready to start.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where did you get my Lonny’s smiling eyes, my dear?
+You are like a boy I lost long years ago, Miss Palmer—a
+brave boy, and a handsome one, or you could not be like
+him. You are very like him, my dear—with one of those
+accidental likenesses that are sometimes found to exist between
+those of no kin. It is not in your complexion or features,
+for you are fair and fragile, while my poor lost Lonny
+was dark and strong—but it is so in your smile—so in your
+whole expression of countenance, that I could almost fancy
+my Lonny’s purified soul looked from out of your blue
+eyes. It is very strange; but I cannot endure the sight of
+his portrait, though I love to see his likeness in you. I
+think I partly understand the reason, however,” continued
+the veteran, dropping his head in meditation, while his
+white beard flowed to his waist. “Yes, I think I see it,
+‘as in a glass, darkly’—that portrait was the perfect image
+of his material body, as I used to see it—the material body
+which has perished; and which, because it has perished, I
+cannot bear to see in its ‘counterfeit.’ But that which looks
+at me from your fair face is the likeness of my son’s living
+soul; therefore I love to contemplate it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How the old dotard drivels!” thought Mrs. Bruce.
+“He’ll soon be a subject for the lunatic asylum.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But that is not the point now, my dear,” continued the
+old man, still holding the hand of Em. “The question at
+issue is whether, when you have completed your term of
+service with my sister-in-law, you will enter mine, as my
+reader and writer?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. paused for a moment and then, raising her blue eyes
+full of the reverential, filial tenderness she felt for the
+childless old man, answered earnestly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed, I should be so very happy to do so, if only Mrs.
+Bruce and my mother will consent.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ha! ha! ha! <i>Mrs. Bruce</i> will consent! I’ll swear to
+that! And if you have half the influence with your mother
+that I have with Mrs. Bruce, <i>she’ll</i> consent. If she does not
+I’ll try my ‘’prentice hand’ at persuasion, and it will go
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>hard but she shall give you up to me,” chuckled the old
+man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As for <i>myself</i>, uncle, you know that your will has always
+been my law,” said the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I know it; I know it, my dear,” said the commodore.
+“And now, little one,” he continued, turning to Em.,
+“go and take a run in the grounds. Too much house is not
+good for little girls. I want to talk with my sister-in-law.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. turned to her employer for direction.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come! Run away! run away!” exclaimed the veteran.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do as you are bidden,” loftily commanded Mrs. Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“SCAT!” stamped the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. laughed and ran out.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, then, madam, what the demon does all this
+mean?” demanded the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“All what mean? I don’t understand,” replied Mrs.
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, you do. Yesterday you could not, any of you,
+be too kind to that poor girl. To-day you, all of you, so
+overwhelmed the child with your studied coldness and contempt
+that she looked as if she were going to expire at the
+lunch-table. I could scarcely stand it myself, and so, to
+counteract the effect of your combined rudeness, I was
+obliged to be obtrusively attentive to Miss Palmer. I knew
+perfectly well when I saw you leave the lunch-table and
+order that girl to follow you to your room you were sharpening
+your claws and whetting your teeth and licking your
+chops in anticipation of a meal off her!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Commodore Bruce! What <span class='fss'>MONSTROUS</span> ideas you have!”
+exclaimed the horrified lady. “Am I a vampire, or a cannibal?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, yes; in some sense you are. I do not mean to say
+that, having lunched on chicken-pie, cold ham and custard,
+you are going to dine on Em. immediately. No, but you
+were going to glut your pride and surfeit your anger and
+satisfy your selfishness on her, all the same, which is a
+wickeder sort of cannibalism than the other, since it devours
+the spirit. That child has most innocently offended you all.
+Now I want to know in what manner. And I <i>will</i> know;
+for while I am captain of this ship—master of this house, I
+mean—no woman shall be treated with coldness and cruelty
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>while under my roof, and especially when at my table.
+Come.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, uncle, since you <i>will</i> have it, I acknowledge that
+Miss Palmer <i>has</i> offended me—has offended us all; therefore
+I really do not think that you should keep her here as
+you propose to do, or that you will keep her when you have
+heard all about her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’ll be shot to death if I don’t,” said the commodore.
+“But how has that harmless girl offended you? By her
+beauty, grace and sweetness? I know of no other cause.
+In what way has she offended you, I ask?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In a way that would have offended any woman with a
+proper sense of modesty and decorum.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But by what <i>means</i>? By what <i>means</i>?” impatiently
+demanded the veteran.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“By the general indiscretion of her conduct,” coldly replied
+the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“By Jove! I will not take such an answer!” roared the
+old commodore, bringing his fist down upon the table like
+a hammer upon an anvil, and making every article on it
+dance. “You would ruin an innocent girl’s reputation with
+a few generalities like that! I—will—know,” he continued
+slowly and emphatically, telling off every word with a
+thump of his stick. “I—will—know—every detail of—time,
+place, and company—word, act, and look of the indiscretion
+with which you charge this child! Yes, and I
+will have them established by more than one competent
+witness! None of your unsupported generalities for me!
+I have made myself the advocate of this innocent girl, and
+will see that she suffers no wrong. No, by Jove! While
+I’m commander of this ship—captain of this house, I mean—no
+woman in it shall suffer injury unavenged! No, in a
+few words tell me distinctly what the girl has said or done!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I do not think that you will be any better satisfied
+when you have heard,” said Mrs. Bruce maliciously. “This
+is her offense, then: She has been here but two days, and
+has been detected several times in private conversation with
+my son, your nephew, Ronald Bruce, who follows her about
+wherever she goes! There! now you have it!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He—he—he! Ha—ha—ha! Ho—ho—ho!” laughed
+the commodore. “That’s a great offence, now, isn’t it? As
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>if it wasn’t perfectly natural and right for a young man
+to follow a young girl around when they are both shut up
+in a lonely country house with a lot of old ladies!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hermia Templeton is not old, at least, and I think she
+is more interested in this matter than any one else,” gravely
+replied Mrs. Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is true,” mused the commodore—“I beg Hermia’s
+pardon. She is not old. She is young and pretty and attractive
+enough for any man, and a great deal too good for
+my young rascal of a nephew: but as she is to marry him,
+whether or no, of course she has more at stake in this running
+than any one else! But now tell me the particulars—the
+particulars! Time, place, and circumstance! You
+know I told you that I would have the details and have
+them proved!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mrs. Bruce told the whole story of Ronald’s and Em.’s
+meetings and talks, in the drawing-room, in the dining-room,
+in the library, and in the grounds. She told it, not
+as it is known to you and me, reader, but with many an
+exaggeration and much false coloring, as she had heard it
+from Mrs. Warde and Miss Belinda—for, ill as Malvina
+was, or affected to be, she was not too ill to play the part of
+an eavesdropper and a detractor. And since Em. had been
+in the house there was no harmless interview she had had
+with her honest suitor to which either the designing mother
+or daughter had not been an unseen listener.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This must be looked into,” said Commodore Bruce, very
+much more gravely than he had yet spoken. “Yes, this
+must be seen to. I must give that young scamp a sound
+lecture! for, mind you, it is <i>he</i> who is in fault, though,
+woman-like, you put the whole blame upon her! It is he
+who is to blame, and very much to blame, for he is pursuing
+her and trifling with her when he knows very well, the
+rascal! that he must marry my niece, Hermia Templeton, or
+go to the deuce! While I am commander of this ship—I
+mean master of this house—I won’t have it! Still, let me
+tell you, madam, that I despise the means by which these
+women have detected these interviews. They could have
+done so only by eavesdropping! And, oh, Lord! how I do
+loathe and detest eavesdroppers!” exclaimed the veteran
+with every expression of disgust and abhorrence disfiguring
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>his fine old face as he arose from his seat and, leaning on
+his stick, turned to depart.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Before leaving the room he paused and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I shall say nothing to Ronald to-day. I have had quite
+enough of excitement for one day—more of it would spoil
+my dinner and my night’s rest—perhaps ruin my digestion
+and my nervous system! So no more of this subject for
+the present. I want to relish my turkey and enjoy a good
+night’s sleep. To-morrow morning after breakfast I will
+take my young gentleman in hand, and we will go over the
+chart of his life voyage together, and I will show him his
+course. To make things surer, I will also speak to my
+young lady. But, in the meantime, I desire you and your
+friends in the house to treat this young girl with consideration
+and kindness. Let them know, if you please, that such
+is my will. I shall see in a moment, by the look of that
+child’s face, whether she has been treated with contempt
+while out of my sight.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>With these words the veteran left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mrs. Bruce cared very little for the <i>brusquerie</i> of the old
+sailor, so that he had given his promise to break up the
+intimacy between her son and her seamstress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Indeed, her reason for the severe course she took towards
+Em. was rather the desire to put a prompt and final stop to
+the acquaintance between the young people than any dislike
+to the girl herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meantime Em. had gone out to the grounds for a walk,
+but seeing Ronald Bruce approaching from the house she
+quickly passed around to a side door, entered it, and ran up
+to her room, where she arranged her simple toilet for
+dinner.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. dreaded meeting the family again at the table; but
+when the bell rang and she went down and found them all
+assembled in the dining-room, and Commodore Bruce advanced,
+took her hand and led her to her seat, and all looked
+kindly or with perfect indifference on her, she felt more at
+her ease.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mrs. Warde, permit me to name to you my young
+friend, Miss Palmer here, who has not had the privilege of
+being presented to you before,” said the commodore with
+somewhat stilted politeness to a tall, dark, haggard-looking
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>woman, with great black eyes, who sat opposite to Em., and
+who was richly dressed in black velvet, lace and bugles, and
+whom Em. immediately recognized as the lady who had
+fainted at the sight of herself in the upper hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. arose from her chair and bent her head.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mrs. Warde stared and returned the salutation with a
+slight and haughty nod.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>That was all. They were as much strangers as before
+the introduction. The dinner went on; other people spoke
+to Em. from time to time, but Mrs. Warde scarcely noticed
+her at all, or only by a furtive, nervous glance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As soon as the dinner was over the family party adjourned
+to the drawing-room—with one exception, that of
+Ronald Bruce—who sulkily absented himself from the domestic
+circle that night.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old commodore, seated in his soft-cushioned, big
+arm-chair, made a point of talking to Em. until he fell
+fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The ladies of the house gathered around a large center-table
+that stood under a lighted chandelier, and before the
+ruddy open fire of hickory logs, where, having few intellectual
+resources, they busied themselves with crochet and
+gossip.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em., having no taste for either of these pursuits, sat
+apart, near the sleeping old man, and wondered what they
+were all doing at home, and whether Ronald Bruce would
+make his appearance at all in the drawing-room that evening.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He did not; and, therefore, upon the whole, Em. spent
+another one of the dullest evenings she had ever passed in
+her life.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the hour of ten, their sober bedtime, struck, and
+the circle broke, Em. was glad.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But as she was about to leave the room the old commodore,
+awakened by the general movement, aroused himself,
+got up from his chair and took her hand, saying kindly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-night, and may the Lord bless you, my dear
+child!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And you, too, sir,” replied Em. in a low, timid, but
+earnest tone as she bowed over his wrinkled hand and
+then left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>She glanced up and down the hall in the hope of seeing
+Ronald Bruce, to give him good-night. She could scarcely
+help doing this; indeed, she was scarcely conscious of doing
+it; for if she had met him, waylaying her, to speak a word,
+she would certainly and very properly have rebuked him
+for doing so.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Yet she heaved a deep sigh of disappointment when she
+had passed all the way upstairs without seeing him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When Em. entered her cheerful room in the attic she
+found the candles on the dressing-table lighted, the fire
+burning brightly, and the little maid, Liza, waiting.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Cold night, Miss Em., ain’t it? ’Spect dere’ll be a
+mighty heavy frost, if not snow, ’fore mornin’. We had snow
+airlier’n dis last year,” said Liza as she pushed up a chair
+nearer the fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then I suppose you must have winter much earlier on
+these mountains than we ever have on the plains where I
+was brought up,” answered Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, you see, miss, I dunno nuffin’ ’tall ’bout de wedder
+’way down dere. I nebber libbed on de plains, <i>my</i>se’f.
+Dunno how anybody can lib so far, far down below de sky!
+You was right to come up here, Miss Em. Well, I only just
+waited till you come, Miss Em., to see if you has everything
+you ’quire. <i>Has</i> you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, indeed, Liza; thank you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, den, I must go. I got to go to Miss Melwiny
+Warde’s room and rub her feet till she goes to sleep, the
+Lord help her; She’s an awful bad sleeper, she is, and
+sometimes I has to set at de foot of her bed and rub her
+feet half de night ’fore she gets quiet. Wonder to me is
+how she can’t read her chapter in de Bible, and say her
+prayers, and go to sleep like a Christian. Well, good-night,
+Miss Em., I reckon <i>you</i> can go to sleep ’dout having of
+your feet rubbed, can’t you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes,” smiled Em. as the girl left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The bright fire shone on the portrait of Lonny Bruce, so
+that the merry, mischievous young face beamed out in full
+light.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, you beautiful and happy boy, what a dreadful fate
+was yours!” murmured Em., standing before the picture.
+“And your poor, bereaved old father fancies that I look like
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>you; and so he loves me for your sake! I wonder if I do
+look like you—I, who am so fair, while you are so dark—I,
+who am so steady, while you look so wild! But, perhaps,
+you had your grave seasons as I sometimes have my
+gay spells! Oh, dear me, I wonder why Ronald Bruce did
+not come in the drawing-room all the evening! And did
+not even try to bid me good-night! I know it is on his account
+that Mrs. Bruce gave me warning to leave her service
+so suddenly. But the dear old commodore, whom I love so
+much, likes me, and is kind to me. I wonder, oh, I wonder,
+if he will ever consent that his nephew may marry me!
+What is the use of thinking about that? I will say my
+prayers and go to sleep.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And so she did.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIII<br> <span class='c006'>“OLD HEADS AND YOUNG HEARTS”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>I must be cruel only to be kind.</div>
+      <div class='line in28'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>The next morning Em. awoke to the memory of the
+preceding day’s events—her unkind dismissal by Mrs.
+Bruce; her immediate engagement by Commodore Bruce;
+Ronald’s unaccountable absence from his mother’s drawing-room
+circle, and his strange omission to appear somewhere
+about the halls of the staircases to bid Em. good-night on
+her way to her room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She felt a strong impulse to arise and dress quickly and
+hurry down to the breakfast-room, in the probability of
+seeing Ronald before any one else should be there.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She acted on this impulse; but by the time she had finished
+her simple toilet, reason had come to check impulse,
+and prudence to warn her that she must not seek an interview
+with her lover, and, furthermore, that she must not
+even risk an accidental meeting with Ronald Bruce if she
+would avoid giving new cause of offence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So, instead of hastening down to the breakfast-room, Em.
+seated herself at her chamber window with a piece of
+needlework in her hand and sewed until the breakfast bell
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>rang, and then, to make sure of not meeting Ronald alone,
+she waited five minutes after the bell had stopped ringing,
+for she concluded that it would be better that she should be
+a little late at the table than that she should give umbrage
+by a <i>tête-à-tête</i> with Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She went leisurely downstairs and entered the breakfast-room,
+expecting to find all the family at the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She found no one present except Ronald Bruce, who
+stood on the rug with his back to the fire impatiently waiting
+for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em.!” he exclaimed, stepping forward and taking her
+hand, “I have been here half an hour, hoping you would be
+down early, perhaps earlier than usual, because we could
+not see each other last night. Why are you so late?” he
+inquired reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am not late, Ronald. None of the family except yourself
+have yet come down. But, oh, Ronald! please do not
+plan to see me alone. Your having done so has already
+caused trouble. That was the reason why at lunch yesterday
+the ladies treated me so coldly——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Impertinently, insolently, <i>I</i> call it! I saw it all, Em.,
+and my blood boiled! But what can a man do with such
+women, except to avoid them?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But they were kinder to me at dinner,” said Em. apologetically.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Kinder!’ They behaved towards you with proper politeness,
+that was all, and I know to whose power that must be
+attributed! The old commodore had ‘put his foot down’ to
+that effect, I feel sure. But, Em., I could not join those
+women in the drawing-room last night, when I felt that I
+should not be able to play the hypocrite and treat Miss
+Warde or her mother with the respect I could not feel for
+them, with the respect a man should always, and under all
+circumstances, show women. So to avoid them I absented
+myself from the drawing-room. I went up to my chamber,
+locked myself in, hated all my fellow-creatures except you,
+Em., and read satires in the original Greek all the evening.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And so that was the reason why you did not come to
+bid—any of us—good-night,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That, yes, that was one reason why I did not come to
+bide—<i>any of you</i>—good-night. But that was not the only
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>reason. I was making up my mind and coming to a conclusion
+that I shall act upon to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Ronald!” exclaimed Em., startled by his expression,
+“I hope you will never do or say anything to distress your
+good old uncle! His past life has been so full of trouble.
+His remaining days are few. Let them at least be filled
+with peace.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I must speak to him to-day, however, for your sake,
+Em.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, no, no! It were must better that you should
+give me up altogether than bring discord to the last days
+of one to whom you owe so much!” exclaimed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To give you up, Em., would be to give up my freedom
+of choice in a matter where the whole happiness of my life
+and that of my chosen one is concerned! That would be
+too heavy a price to pay, even for the great benefits I have
+received at my uncle’s hands. No, Em., I will never, never
+give you up!” said the young man earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>What!</span>” exclaimed the voice of the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Both the young people started as at a thunder-clap and
+looked around to see the old man, leaning on his stick, as
+he advanced slowly into the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No one down but two? But, then, you are always down
+first, and ought to have a medal for punctuality!” he continued
+as he paused and leaned more heavily upon his stick.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald stepped quickly to his side and gave him the support
+of an arm, while Em. wheeled the big arm-chair to
+the fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Both the young people were filled with painful doubts as
+to whether or not the old commodore had heard the concluding
+words of Ronald’s impetuous speech. Their countenances
+were full of confusion, nor were their minds set
+at rest by the next words of the old man, who, as soon as he
+had sunk into his seat, turned a rather severe eye upon his
+nephew and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘My handsome young man,’ I have something very serious
+to say to you. Come to my room immediately after
+breakfast; I will meet you there.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, sir. I will be punctual, the more so because
+I have an important communication to make to you,” replied
+Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>“Oh, indeed!” exclaimed the old commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The entrance of the ladies here put an end to the topic.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They greeted the party in the breakfast-room, received
+the commodore’s rebukes for their tardiness very good-humoredly,
+and gathered around the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As the meal progressed Ronald was taken to task for his
+desertion of the preceding evening.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He coldly excused himself by saying that he had been
+engaged in reading Greek and trying to solve a problem.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Miss Belinda hoped that he had succeeded in doing so.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald said dryly that he hoped he had.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When breakfast was over Em. followed Mrs. Bruce to her
+sitting-room, where that lady filled her hands with needlework
+enough to last her all day long and left her alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Ronald Bruce repaired to his uncle’s study,
+fully resolved to avow his love for Em. and ask his uncle’s
+consent to marry her; but he thought that, as in duty
+bound, he would defer his communication until he should
+have heard what his uncle had to say to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When he entered the study he found the old man seated
+in his big leathern chair by the long study table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was an empty chair placed exactly opposite to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Take this seat before me, that we may look each other
+in the face as we speak,” said the commodore with an emphatic
+rap upon the one indicated.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald sat down, folded his hands before him, and
+waited with the air of a rebellious child about to be catechized
+or reprimanded.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old commodore on his part dropped his head on his
+chest and reflected for a few moments before opening the
+discussion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length, however, he looked up, drew a long breath,
+and began:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald, I asked you to come here that I might talk to
+you on a very painful and very delicate subject, and I
+scarcely know how to open it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He paused and looked at his nephew; but that young
+gentleman said nothing to help him out.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Perhaps you yourself may have some suspicion of the
+subject?” suggested the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is it Miss Palmer?” sulkily inquired the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>“Yes, it is Em. Palmer. Ronald, I do not wish to be
+hard on you. You are but a young man, shut up in a very
+dull country house with a very beautiful and attractive
+young girl. You could scarcely help falling a little in love
+with her, so I cannot blame you for that; but, Ronald, if
+you have let her perceive your love you have done wrong;
+and if you have won her love in return you have done very
+wrong.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald started, flushed, and was about to speak, when his
+uncle raised his hand and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hear me out, your turn will come presently.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I <i>must</i> speak now. I never intended any wrong
+to Em.—never, so help me Heaven!” burst forth Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I quite believe it,” the commodore promptly admitted.
+“Yet you have already wronged her more than you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How? how?” impetuously demanded the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“By your thoughtless pursuit of her since she has been
+in this house. By following her, lying in wait for her,
+meeting her in the breakfast-room, in the study, in the
+grounds, anywhere, in short, where you could find her alone.
+And this you have done without her connivance, I firmly
+believe!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Heaven knows that is true! Em. herself has rebuked
+me for pursuing her; and yet I meant her no wrong, as I
+soon hope to prove to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I need no proof. I know you, Ronald, and, therefore,
+I am sure you meant no harm; and yet, as I said before,
+you have by this conduct done her grievous wrong. You
+have drawn upon her the invidious notice of evil-thinking
+women. Do you know what happened yesterday?” suddenly
+inquired the commodore, breaking off in his discourse.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know that our lady guests presumed to treat Miss
+Palmer with insolence! But they will find——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Never mind what they will find. There was something
+worse than that happened! these women’s tongues obliged
+my sister-in-law to dismiss the girl from her service.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald sprang to his feet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Did my mother have the cruelty to do that?” he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She could not help herself, with those two women nagging
+her on! But I was determined the child should not
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>be sent back to her mother in that discreditable manner,
+and so I immediately engaged her as my reader and writer,
+and conveyed a hint to those ladies that they would oblige
+me by treating her with proper consideration. Since that,
+I must say, they have behaved better.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thought the improvement in their manner to Miss
+Palmer was brought about through your interference; but
+I had no idea that she had passed from my mother’s service
+into yours,” said Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She has not yet done so. She was warned to leave Mrs.
+Bruce’s employment on next Saturday, when her father will
+come for her. She is to come back and enter mine on Monday—unless
+her parents should raise some objection, which
+I do not think likely—<i>or</i>, unless you should persist in your
+dangerous pursuit of her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Dangerous!’ sir?” echoed the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, dangerous! Dangerous to her peace, honor and
+reputation!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, sir, you misunderstand me, quite. I love Em.!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then you are very foolish.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have told her that I love her!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You were very rash to do so.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And, moreover, I know that I have won her love!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then, Ronald Brace, you have been very much to blame.
+How will you ever answer to her, or to your own conscience,
+for that child’s disappointed heart and lost happiness?”
+sternly demanded the old commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My good uncle, I told you that you totally misapprehended
+me, and I repeat it. I do not intend to disappoint
+Em. Her happiness shall be the first object and fondest
+care of my life,” earnestly exclaimed Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What—in the deuce—do you mean?” slowly demanded
+Commodore Bruce, staring at his nephew with distended
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What do I mean, do you ask, sir? What does any
+honorable man mean when he says that he loves a good
+young girl, that he has told her so, and that he intends to
+marry her?” exclaimed Ronald Bruce somewhat impatiently,
+as at his hearer’s want of comprehension.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Eh? What? What the foul fiend are you saying to me,
+Ronald?” demanded the provoked and puzzled old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>“I say that with your consent, sir, I will marry Em.
+Palmer,” firmly replied the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Marry—Em.—Palmer?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are raving mad! You are fit for nothing but a
+strait jacket and a lunatic asylum! Marry Em. Palmer!
+Why, even if she were your equal in birth, position, and
+education you could not do so; for you are to marry Hermia
+Templeton, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed, I did not know it! No word or look of love
+has ever passed between me and Hermia. We like each
+other well enough as cousins, but <i>not</i> enough to marry—especially
+as she loves another man and I another woman!”
+recklessly replied Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then you are a very disobedient, rebellious, and unmanageable
+young couple! That is all I have to say. But
+I shall talk to Hermia and bring her to reason. And as for
+you, Ronald, I shall expect you to give up this insane whim
+and make up your mind to marry Hermia Templeton. You
+two are my heirs, and you should marry and keep the property
+together.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I should be very sorry to disappoint you, uncle; but
+honor as well as love is engaged in this, and I cannot and
+will not give up the girl I love. I must and will marry
+Emolyn Palmer,” firmly responded Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, come, now, nephew!” said the old man as soothingly
+as he would have talked to a sick and delirious patient.
+“Come, come, listen to reason! I can understand
+and appreciate your feelings! yes, better than you can yourself.
+This love of yours is a delusion of the senses, a mere
+hallucination that is sure to pass away whether you marry
+the object of it or not! If you were to marry that young
+girl under your present illusions they would pass away in
+a few months. You would cease to love her; but you would
+never cease to regret that you had so hastily married her.
+Unfitted for each other in birth, culture, position, and
+everything, your wedded life would be a life of misery to
+both! Think of this while there is yet time, and withdraw
+from this contemplated and most insane idea of marriage!
+I will say no more to you at present. Go and think of what
+I have said to you, and said with the most unselfish desire
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>to promote your happiness,” said Commodore Bruce, rising
+as a signal that the interview was ended.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thank you, sir, for your great kindness to me in this
+as in all other matters. But I must not leave you under any
+false impressions. I love Em., and have won her love. I
+am of age and can do as I please. My pay as a lieutenant
+in the navy will support my wife in moderate comfort.
+Therefore, I shall certainly marry Emolyn Palmer just as
+soon as I can induce her to fix a day. I say this not in
+defiance of your wishes, sir, but that there may be no misapprehension
+of my intentions,” concluded the young man
+as he bowed and retired.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stubborn as a mule,” said the commodore as he sank
+back in his seat. “I must see the girl. With her I shall
+have more success.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIV<br> <span class='c006'>CRUEL TO BE KIND</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>When I had seen this hot love on the wing,</div>
+      <div class='line'>As I perceived it first, I tell you that,</div>
+      <div class='line'>If I had played the desk, or table book,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Or given my heart a winking mute and dumb,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Or looked upon this love with idle sight—</div>
+      <div class='line'>What might you think? No, I went round to work,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And my young mistress thus did I bespeak:</div>
+      <div class='line'>“This must not be”; and then I precepts gave her,</div>
+      <div class='line'>That she should keep herself from his resort,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Admit no messengers, receive no tokens,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And him repulsed.</div>
+      <div class='line in36'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Em. was sitting alone in Mrs. Bruce’s room, her hands
+busily engaged with needlework and her thought with something
+else, when the little maid, Liza, entered and said:
+“Miss Em., ole Marse Commodore sent me to ax yer
+how he want to see yer in the study.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young girl, who thought that Commodore Bruce only
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>wanted her to read to him, promptly laid aside her work
+and arose, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well. I will go at once; and, Liza, will you please
+to tell Mrs. Bruce that the commodore has sent for me, so
+that she may know why I am absent?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, miss, I’ll tell her; but, la! marse is marse and
+missus bofe here! Nobody ain’t no call to make no ’scuses
+to any missus when ole marse wants ’em, I tell you that,”
+replied Liza as she followed the seamstress from the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. went down to the study.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She found the old man still in his dressing-gown and
+skull-cap, seated in his leathern arm-chair beside the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The chair just vacated by Ronald Bruce still stood before
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As Em. entered he leaned back wearily and sighed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You sent for me, sir,” said the girl as she drew near.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, child. Take this seat in front of me. I wish to
+talk to you,” he answered gently.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. sat down, feeling somewhat embarrassed to be so
+near and so directly under the eyes of Commodore Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the old man gazed kindly down on her drooping face
+and thought how much it looked like that of his poor lost
+boy, Lonny, when the latter was a lad and was under rebuke
+for some childish fault.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not be afraid of me, my dear,” he said gently, as he
+observed her confusion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am not afraid, only——” Em. began and stopped.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are not afraid, only you are <i>afraid</i>. You think I
+am going to talk to you of Ronald. Is it not so?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. could not speak; she bowed and caught her breath.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are right, my child,” answered the commodore, and
+then he dropped his head upon his chest until his long gray
+beard swept to his waist, and he fell into silent thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It had been hard to open the subject with the young
+man; it was very much harder to do so with the young
+girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length he raised his head, and looking at her very
+kindly, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Little Em., I do not know that I can give you a wiser
+lesson or do you a greater service than by telling you two
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>little incidents in my life’s experience as examples. Will
+you listen?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir,” breathed the girl in tones so low that the
+words scarcely reached his ears.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When I was a young man I fell desperately in love.
+You smile, Em.; but fifty years ago I <i>was</i> a young man
+of twenty years, and, as I said, desperately in love with a
+pretty, amiable but illiterate and humbly-born girl. I
+wished to marry her, but my father and mother were bitterly
+opposed to the match. The controversy ran high. It
+almost estranged me from my parents. At length there
+was a compromise. I agreed to wait a year until I should
+be of age before proposing to my love. And they agreed,
+in the event of my continuing to desire the marriage at the
+end of that time, to withdraw their opposition. I was soon
+after ordered to sea for a three years’ voyage. The end of
+that time found me at the antipodes—at the port of Canton—more
+interested in the manners and customs of the
+Chinese than in the image of ‘the girl I left behind me.’
+Even if it had been practical for me to do so, I know that
+I should not then have claimed my parents’ promise of their
+consent to my proposal of marriage to her. I had got over
+my ‘puppy’ love, as they probably anticipated that I would
+when they enticed me into that compromise which was our
+salvation.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As the old man uttered these words he looked wistfully
+at Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She had been rosy red under his scrutiny before, but
+now she was marble white; her eyes were fixed upon the
+floor, and her fingers were clasped tightly together on her
+lap.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He gazed at her pityingly for a moment, then sighed and
+took up the thread of discourse.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I say ‘ours’ child, for when I returned from my three
+years’ voyage I found my fair one the happy wife of a handsome
+young workman and the proud mother of a bouncing
+boy. It was a shock to my vanity, but it was a relief to
+my heart. I was all right; but I felt a little anxious to
+know whether she was. I called to see her as an old friend.
+She received me with frank cordiality, and showed me her
+baby and made me stay to tea to see her husband. When
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>he came home she met him and hurried him upstairs ‘to
+clean himself,’ as she told me. And when at length he
+joined us at the tea-table, she took my breath away by introducing
+me as ‘an old beau’ of hers, who had been ‘awful
+spoony’ on her at one time, adding, with more frankness
+than delicacy:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘And, you know, I’d married you <i>then</i> if the old man
+and old woman hadn’t raised such an awful row and kept
+you from asking me! But, Lord! ain’t I glad they did!
+For soon after that I met my Charley here at a picnic,
+and we were married three weeks afterwards. And every
+day, when I think of it, I feel so awful glad, for I wouldn’t
+give my Charley for a Secretary of the Navy, let alone a
+little middy, who would be rushing off to sea every whipstitch
+and leaving me alone nearly all the time. One better
+be a widow at once than sich a wife!’ she concluded with
+a loud laugh.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, Em., I was, at the same time, and by the same
+means, humbled and relieved. Two years after that I met
+the woman who became my wife. Our marriage was so
+happy that one of my brightest anticipations of the next life
+is that of meeting her, with whom I hope to spend eternity.
+As for the well united young couple who are the subjects
+of my story, they lived and prospered. In the course of
+years the young workman rose to be a partner in the firm
+in whose service he had commenced as porter. They are
+still living, though both over seventy, and—a curious coincidence,
+Em.—their son, the Honorable —— ——, is now
+Secretary of the Navy and my superior officer. Now, what
+do you think of my first love, Em.?” cheerfully inquired
+the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think—I hope—I <i>pray</i>,” faltered the girl, keeping
+her eyes fixed upon the floor and twisting and untwisting
+her clasped fingers, “that <i>all</i> first love is not so fickle as
+yours and hers.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, humph! humph! I might have expected that
+answer, of course. But now, my dear, as I began by saying
+that I had <i>two</i> incidents in my experience to relate to you
+for your instruction, and as I have told you the first story,
+which does not seem to have edified you much, I will now
+tell you the second. Will you listen?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>“Oh, yes, sir,” sighed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well! At the very time that I was so insane on the
+subject of my first and most ill-placed love, I had a schoolmate,
+a young medical student, who was madder than I
+was. He loved to frenzy the beautiful daughter of a poor,
+ignorant workingman. She <i>was</i> beautiful, but beauty was
+her only attraction. Her intelligence was very low and her
+temper unhappy. But notwithstanding this, my young
+friend, ensnared by her beauty and his own eyes, and in defiance
+of all his family and friends, married her. I do not
+know how much or how little of happiness they enjoyed
+in the first years of their marriage, for I was at sea, and
+our paths lay apart. But in after time, when they had a
+growing family around them, they had gone so far apart
+that they were completely estranged. They hated each
+other with a deep and grievous hatred. They often reproached
+each other with great bitterness and venom. She
+was a ‘millstone around his neck,’ pulling him down and
+keeping him down in the social scale. She could not, perhaps,
+help being so. But he blamed and despised her for
+this, and she hated and upbraided him because he blamed
+and despised her. The children of that wretched household
+were both in temperament and in position very unhappy.
+They left home as soon as through marriage or
+employment they could escape from it. Not one of them
+has succeeded in life. Much of this family misery might
+have been hidden from the world, for the man, in <i>this</i> respect,
+was wise and reticent, but the woman was silly and
+blatant, and flaunted her domestic troubles in the face of
+every friend who came near her. The worst was——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, please, <i>please</i> tell me no more!” exclaimed Em.,
+instinctively putting her hands to her ears.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore looked at her and smiled.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I beg pardon, sir; but it was so dreadful,” said
+the girl apologetically, as she took down her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My child, if this state of things is so dreadful to <i>hear</i>,
+what must it be to <i>bear</i>? inquired the old man with incisive
+earnestness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, why do you tell me these sad stories?” said Em.,
+almost on the verge of tears.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“For an example and a warning, my child. Listen, little
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>girl. My nephew, Ronald, loves you, or fancies that he
+does.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em.’s complexion, that had been marble white before,
+now suddenly flushed scarlet all over face, neck and bosom.
+The old man noticed it, but continued ruthlessly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald is of age, is his own master, and has a profession
+that will enable him to support a wife in decent competency.
+He can therefore marry whom he will, and in
+open defiance of his family and friends, if he pleases. He
+will probably ask you to marry him, Em. If so, what will
+be your reply?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will wait until he does ask me, sir, and then I will
+give <i>him</i> my reply,” said Em. with gentle dignity.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Humph! humph! humph! I hope it will be a proper
+one, Miss Palmer. If you consent to marry Ronald Bruce,
+I will tell you what then will be your fate. It will be that
+of the woman I have just described to you. Ronald loves
+you <i>now</i>, or thinks he does. He will marry you if he can;
+but his love, such as it is, will not last—cannot last. He
+will tire of you in a few weeks or months at longest; he will
+then dislike you—perhaps hate you—because, by having
+accepted his first offer of marriage, you will come between
+him and his inheritance, as indeed you will have done; for
+I will never leave this place to my nephew except on the
+condition that he marries my niece; for those two are my
+only heirs, and I will not have the property divided.
+Should Ronald marry any other than Hermia I shall leave
+the estate to her. So you see, my dear girl, into what
+depths of ruin you will cast both Ronald and yourself by
+accepting him. He will be an impoverished, disappointed
+and regretful husband. You will be that most miserable
+of all women—a despised wife.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. uttered a little impulsive, half-suppressed cry and
+hid her face in her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But after a few moments she recovered herself, and with
+something of gentle dignity arose and stood before the old
+man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Resting one hand on the table, she raised her eyes to his,
+looked him steadily but modestly in the face and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do not think that this would be the result of our marriage
+should Mr. Bruce renew his offer and I accept it. If
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>I should ever marry, my husband should never despise me.
+Be sure of that. But, Commodore Bruce, have no fears of
+me. Set your heart at rest. I would never enter any family
+who were opposed to receiving me; nor, were I inclined to
+do so, would my father and mother consent; nor, finally,
+could I take any course against their will. To-morrow my
+father will come for me to go home and spend Sunday. I
+shall take leave of you and then depart, not to return.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She ceased to speak, and was about to go away when
+the words of the commodore arrested her steps.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I have hurt you, my child. I did not mean to do
+so. I beg your pardon, Em. Ah! it was very cruel to
+wound you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No—yes—no,” said the girl in some distress. Then
+raising her eyes to his, and seeing the pale, old, anxious
+face, her heart melted towards him. She lifted his withered
+hand and pressed it to her lips, turned and left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She has the spring of a fine spirit under all her downy
+softness. I don’t wonder at poor Ronald. Upon my
+sacred word and honor I don’t! <i>What a pity!</i>” sighed the
+old commodore to himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Em. fled to her attic chamber. And not until
+she had locked herself in did she give way to the storm of
+emotion that overwhelmed her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She threw herself, weeping, on the bed and wept long
+and bitterly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The summer gust of tears refreshed her, as a thunder
+gust refreshes nature. With a healthful reaction she felt
+better after it had passed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She arose and rearranged her disordered dress, and went
+downstairs to Mrs. Bruce’s room and resumed her needlework
+and sewed diligently until luncheon time.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There were two vigilant eavesdroppers in that house, and
+all the walls had ears. So it had already become known
+in the family that Em. was going away the next day, not
+to return, and so throughout the hour of lunch they all,
+with two exceptions, treated her with distinguished kindness.
+The exceptions were Commodore Bruce, who always
+had used her well, and now made no change, and Ronald
+Bruce, who spoke to no one if he could help it, but sat and
+sulked through the whole meal.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>After lunch Em. hurried up to Mrs. Bruce’s room and
+took her work, being desirous of doing her whole duty by
+her employer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And for the short remainder of her stay the girl worked
+very diligently, confining herself all day long to Mrs.
+Bruce’s room, and even taking her work to the attic and
+stitching half the night.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She never saw Ronald Bruce except at meal times, and
+then never spoke with him beyond the conventional greeting.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Before Saturday evening at six o’clock she had completed
+her last piece of work and handed it over to Mrs. Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then she packed her trunk and her handbag, dressed
+herself for her journey home, and sat down before the portrait
+of Lonny Bruce to gaze at it and enjoy it while waiting
+for the arrival of her father.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At a few minutes after six o’clock Liza entered the attic
+chamber and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If you please, Miss Em., your father has come for you.
+And my missus sent you dis, and ax you will you send her
+a deceit for it. And Mose is outside de door, waitin’ to
+carry down your trunk to de wagon.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, Liza, tell Mose to come in,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then, while the man was carrying down her trunk, she
+opened the blank envelope that had been handed to her by
+Liza and found in it three dollars—her week’s wages.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now Em. could never have told why, at the sight of that
+money, the blood rushed to her head and flooded all her
+face and neck with fiery flushes. But certainly she quickly
+replaced the notes in the envelope, dampened the gummed
+edges with her lips and sealed it, and then took a pencil
+from her pocket, turned the envelope face up on the mantel-shelf,
+and standing there, directed it to Mrs. Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here, Liza, take this to your mistress,” she said, handing
+it to the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is this the deceit?” inquired Liza.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is the best sort of receipt,” replied Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then she gave Liza a belt and buckle for a keepsake and
+sent by her a woolen neck-scarf to Mose.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I’ll go down,” she said to herself, and take leave
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>of the dear old man, for somehow I love him, though he
+breaks my heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She ran nimbly down the stairs and into the study, but,
+instead of the commodore, there sat Ronald Bruce in the
+big leathern chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Ronald! I expected to find your uncle to bid him
+good-by!” exclaimed Em., glad but frightened at this unexpected
+meeting with her lover at the last moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Em.! Do you grudge me these few minutes? My
+uncle went out to speak to your father to try to prevail on
+him to come in. I knew you would come here to take leave
+of him, and so I just slipped in to receive you. Ah, Em.,
+are you indeed going for good?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Ronald, in every sense of the word, I am going
+for <i>good</i>. It is <i>not</i> good for either of us that I should remain
+here. Good-by, Ronald! I know my father is waiting
+for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-afternoon, but not good-by! I will see you to-morrow,
+Em., and see your father also! What! not one
+parting kiss?” he complained, as she firmly repulsed his
+offered salute. “Then I will see you to your carriage,
+‘whether or no,’” he added with a rueful smile, as he followed
+her out of the house.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XV<br> <span class='c006'>HOME AGAIN</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Now soon your home will greet you</div>
+      <div class='line'>And ready kindness meet you,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And love that will not flee.</div>
+      <div class='line in32'><span class='sc'>Percival.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>They found John Palmer standing at the head of a
+powerful white mare, before a large, old-fashioned gig.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. had not seen her father for a week, and during that
+separation from him she had, for some incomprehensible
+reason, thought of him only from first impressions—as she
+had known him in Laundry Lane—gaunt, sallow, dark,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>stooping. She was now, for the first time, struck with the
+change that had come over him since he had lived the more
+wholesome life of the mountaineer, as he stood there, erect,
+tall, strong, handsome, and, in spite of his hair turning
+“sable silvered,” younger looking than she had ever known
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He stood, listening to the discourse of Commodore Bruce,
+hat in hand, in deference to age, not rank.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A thrill of fear shook the girl’s nerves as she saw them.
+What were they discussing so earnestly? Ronald and herself?
+Oh, why would old folks interfere so much with poor,
+young lovers? It was like picking the hearts out of flowers,
+she thought to herself, as she shrank for a moment before
+approaching them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But no! what a relief! They were not talking of Ronald
+or herself. They were talking of crops, stocks, finances—or
+at least Commodore Bruce was talking and John was
+listening.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As Em. came up the commodore ceased to speak, and
+John turned toward her, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear, are you all ready? I am glad to get
+you back again, lass, I tell you. I never knew how lonesome
+a house full of people could be, Em., until you were
+gone. But ‘sich is life,’” he added, as he kissed her and
+gave his hand to lift her into the gig.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And, oh, I am glad to see you again, father, dear, good
+father! There is Lieutenant Bruce,” she whispered, as he
+settled her comfortably in her seat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, how do you do, Lieutenant? Happy to see you,
+sir. Very happy! You have been away since I saw you
+last?” heartily exclaimed John, as he seized and shook the
+young man’s hand, adding: “Sorry I cannot stop to have
+a good talk with you now; but it is getting late. It will
+be dark before we get home, and the roads are dreadful.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, yes!” exclaimed the old commodore, who did not
+approve of this friendliness under all the circumstances.
+“Yes, the roads are very dangerous to be traveled after
+dark. Don’t stand talking to Mr. Palmer and keeping him
+here all night, Ronald.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald had not said a word up to this moment. John
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>had done all the talking. Now, however, the young man
+warmly shook the hand of the overseer, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will not detain you now, much as I should like to do
+so, but I will drop in on you very soon.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Do, do, do</i>, now; and the <i>sooner</i> you do the better!
+You’ll always find a plate at the table and a bed in the
+house heartily at your service,” earnestly exclaimed the unsuspicious
+John, as he stepped into the gig, seated himself
+beside his daughter and took the reins in his hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-by, Commodore Bruce,” said Em., bending from
+her seat and holding out her hand. “Please make my excuses
+and adieux to the ladies. I did not see any of them
+as I came out. They were all in their rooms.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dressing for dinner—a fearfully long task for them,
+my dear. I will give them your message, though they don’t
+deserve it. Good-by, and God bless you, my dear,” said
+the old man, pressing a kiss upon her bent forehead and
+withdrawing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-by, Lieutenant,” said Em. in a lower and less
+assured tone, as she doubtfully held out her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-night; but not good-by. I shall see you very,
+very soon. <i>To-morrow afternoon</i>,” he added in a lower
+tone, as he raised her hand and pressed it to his lips and
+in his turn withdrew.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They seem main fond of you at that house, Em.,” said
+John Palmer, as they drove through the end gate and took
+the roundabout road leading down the mountainside. “But,
+Lord! who wouldn’t be fond of her,” he mentally added in
+a meditative mood.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They were very kind to me, father,” answered the girl,
+who found it a hard task to speak steadily and without
+tears.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, yes; the old man and the young one took leave
+of you as lovingly as if you’d a-been the sister of one and
+the daughter o’ t’other.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Are they all well at home, father?” inquired Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Every one as well as con be,” heartily responded John.
+“And now, little daughter, I know how hard it is for a
+girl to hold her tongue under any circumstances, especially
+when she has been away a week from home; but just try to
+keep quiet, my dear, until we get to the foot of this mountain,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>for it will take all my attention to look after Queen
+Bess,” said John, as he tightened the reins of the mare to
+hold her up in going down hill.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, father; but remember, I am loving you all
+the time, although I am not telling you so,” said Em., with
+an attempt at a smile, which, even if she had succeeded,
+could not have been seen by him for whom it was intended,
+for the short though brilliant twilight of the autumn had
+faded away, and it was growing dark in the wooded mountain
+road.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They drove on slowly and in silence, winding down the
+mountainside.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>An hour’s careful driving brought them down to the foot
+of the precipice and to the banks of the river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then John paused for a few moments to rest his horse.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The old commodore was main fond of you, Em.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, father, and I of him, too.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed! Were you now? That’s odd! He said he
+wanted you to stay with him as his reader and writer after
+you had got through with Mrs. Bruce’s sewing, but you
+declined.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am glad of it! Why, Em., what on earth should an
+edicated old gentleman like him, with a good pair of spectacles,
+want of a reader and writer, especially a young girl
+like you? It is all in my eye, Em.! The old man wanted
+to marry you! A thing as your mother and I never would
+have consented to, no, not if he had been as rich as
+<i>Creases</i>!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, oh, oh, father!” cried Em. in a perfect ecstacy of
+horror. “It was nothing like that! Nothing, nothing like
+that! He never would have dreamed of such a dreadful
+thing! Oh, no, no, no! Oh, father, how could you dream
+of such—oh, father!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t know, Em. These aged old gentlemen, when
+they are widowers, are perfect wampires after young wives,
+and think they can buy a pretty one for money, just as easy
+as a heathen could go buy a girl in one o’ them slave
+markets in London or Paris, or some o’ them Pagan nations
+where they sell young women for wives. Wish one on ’em
+would come after <i>you</i>, Em.! I would send him home with
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>a wasp in his ear that would make him dance livelier ’n he
+did in his boyhood’s days! Would be almost as good for
+him as a young wife! Are you cold, child? Wrap your
+shawl closer around you; you are shivering.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, father, dear, but this talk is horrible,” said the girl,
+shuddering.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Glad to hear it! It was so intended! And now I hope
+you won’t think any more of marrying a rich old dotard
+and being made a lady of <i>that way</i>! said John sturdily.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, father, I never <i>did</i> think of it; nor no one else
+that I know of except you!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Glad to hear <i>that</i>, too! Hope you never will! No,
+Em., no rich old husbands for you! I want you to have
+a happy life, my girl. By and by, when the proper time
+shall come, I hope you will wed some good and good-looking
+young fellow of your own rank, with whom you will be
+as happy as your mother and I have been all our lives.
+Yes, the Lord knows, and I thank him,” said John, reverently
+raising his hat, “that we have been very happy in
+spite of poverty, sickness, death and the common ills that
+come to us all. For what is this life but a climbing-place
+to the higher? And what are these troubles but the stones
+that must sometimes bruise our feet, and the thorns that
+may pierce our flesh? When a faithful, loving pair travel
+this upward road together, Em., they do not mind these
+troubles by the way. So I hope, my girl, that some day
+you may be the wife of some honest young fellow of your
+own class, and not the toy and slave of a rich old husband.
+But there, I won’t preach any longer. Queen Bess is tossing
+her head and shaking her ears in impatient scorn of my
+discourse. She wants to get home to her stall and her oats,”
+said John, laughing, as he started the white mare.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And she is no better tempered than her namesake,”
+said Em., as they went along.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The rest of the road home was short and easy, leading
+along the banks of the river, with the woods on one side
+and the water on the other, and then by a short angle leading
+through the thicket up to the park gate, which was wide
+open to receive them, with old ’Sias on the watch to welcome
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Little old ’Sias grinned literally “from ear to ear” as he
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>bowed and continued to bow while the gig rolled through
+the gate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am so glad to see you again, Uncle ’Sias! Come up
+to the house and talk with us this evening,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So I will, miss! ’Deed I feel as you’d been gone a
+year, more or less!” returned the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But they were soon out of hearing, for Queen Bess, finding
+herself so near home, mended her pace, nor thought of
+slacking it until drawn up in front of the old red wing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was soon quite dark, but a cheerful firelight gleamed
+through the open doors and unshaded windows of the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All the family came forth to meet Em. with joyful welcomes,
+as though she had been absent on a six years’ tour
+in a foreign country instead of a six days’ sojourn in the
+immediate neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mother, sisters and brothers took her in their arms in
+turn and warmly embraced and kissed her, while the little
+Italian girl danced frantically around, among them all,
+waiting for a chance to get at her “Caressima,” as she continually
+called Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Tom, run and put up the horse and gig. You
+can do the rest of your welcoming after you come back,”
+said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The youth ran off to obey his father, and the family
+party entered the house and passed on into the sitting-room,
+where a fire of pine logs and cones was blazing up
+the chimney, lighting up the whole house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here Ann Whitlock and Aunt Monica were both engaged
+in putting finishing touches on the neatly-set tea-table,
+where extra dainties had been placed in honor of the daughter’s
+return.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But both the old women left off work and ran to welcome
+their favorite.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, let Em. go upstairs and take off her things—<i>do</i>!”
+said Molly, carrying her sister off in triumph.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“See now what a nice fire Ned kindled for you, Em.
+Isn’t it just splendid to have such a grand plenty of wood
+that we can make a roaring fire to warm a great room like
+this?” said Nelly, who had followed her sister to the attic.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>I</i> brought all the cones to kindle with, <i>my</i>self,” added
+little Vennie, who came creeping up behind all the rest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>Em. turned and kissed the little creature, and then unpacked
+her trunk, which her father and Ned had already
+brought up to her room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Assisted by busy and affectionate little helpers, Em. soon
+got through her task, and leaving her chamber in perfect
+order, and followed by a bevy of little sisters, she hurried
+downstairs to the sitting-room, where all the rest of the
+family were waiting for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As soon as she entered tea was placed on the table, and
+they all sat down to it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The father of the family asked a blessing, and then they
+all fell to with good appetites and fine spirits.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ah, how different was the atmosphere of this lowly, loving,
+merry party to that proud, cold, gloomy circle she had
+left behind! Coming from one to the other was like passing
+from purgatory into Paradise. It was almost worth
+parting with Ronald to experience such a change.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Almost! not quite, as the aching from the depths of her
+heart seemed to assure her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She had loved Ronald Bruce from the first hour she had
+met him—when he had saved her life by laying her brutal
+assailant stunned at her feet. She had loved him involuntarily,
+secretly, silently—never dreaming that her love was
+but the response of his own unspoken passion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now she knew he loved her, and had loved her from their
+first meeting. Ronald Bruce, who had traveled all over the
+world, and had mixed with the best society in many countries,
+and who from his position and prospects might have
+chosen his wife from almost any class—had overlooked all
+others to choose <i>her</i>, Em., above all other women—to choose
+her, who had neither wealth, position or accomplishments—nothing
+but herself. And if she had loved him at first
+she adored him now! Oh, how she longed for all the advantages
+that might make her as acceptable to Ronald’s
+family, as, without any of them, she was to him!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Even seated in the sweet circle of this pure, unselfish
+family affection these thoughts troubled her peace.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No wonder then that in the solitude of her own attic
+chamber, when she had retired to rest that night, that they
+should destroy her repose.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>Em. lay wide awake all night thinking, dreaming.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now tempting thoughts came to the troubled, wakeful
+dreamer, “in the waste and middle of the night.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. remembered Ronald’s last words whispered in her
+ear just as he left her seated in the gig by her father’s side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><i>To-morrow afternoon</i>, he had said.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>To-morrow afternoon, then, Ronald would be sure to
+make his appearance. He would be sure to ask her father
+for her, as he had declared he would.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Her father liked Ronald very much, she knew; but he
+would never listen to his suit for her hand unless that suit
+came authorized by Ronald’s uncle. And so it would never
+come. And so her father would refuse her to Ronald, and
+would probably request him to refrain from visiting the
+house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then Ronald would be sure to seek an interview with her,
+and he would press her to end all their trouble by marrying
+him at once.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now why—the tempter asked her—should she not take
+him at his word? These old people—the evil-one whispered—whose
+pride and stubbornness were separating Ronald
+and herself, were interfering with their loves beyond
+all reason and justice. They had no right to make two
+young people wretched all their lives. They could not do
+so, if Ronald should have his own way. And nothing obstructed
+<i>that</i> but Em.’s own scruples. Ronald’s and her
+happiness now depended upon herself alone. Why should
+she not make sure of it by accepting him as her husband?
+A few hours’ travel would take them into Maryland, where
+they could be legally married, although she was not of age.
+Then they would instantly return to the manor-house and
+ask forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Her gentle father, her tender mother, would be <i>sure</i>
+to forgive them on the asking. Then they would be happy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Yes; but that father and mother! Should she wound
+those gentle and tender hearts by an act of disobedience
+that would be nothing less than a cruel insult to them, receive
+it however charitably they might?</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And then her promise to Commodore Bruce, whom she
+loved, though he <i>did</i> almost break her heart!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>Em. could come to no decision on her future course of
+action.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Act as she might, she could not escape suffering in herself
+and causing suffering to others.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Thus thinking and dreaming, she lay wide awake all
+night, and was glad when she saw the dawn of morning
+through the uncurtained eastern windows of her room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She arose and mended her fire, replenishing it from the
+box of fuel in the corner. Then she bathed and dressed,
+offered up her morning prayers and went downstairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was now sunrise, and the sunshine was filling the
+sitting-room, where all the family were assembled for morning
+worship.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They greeted Em. affectionately and then seated her
+among them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The father opened the family Bible and read a chapter
+and then reverently closed it and led their devotions.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After this breakfast was placed upon the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was while handing her daughter a cup of coffee that
+Susan Palmer looked in Em.’s face and exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do declare, child, that your week’s stay at the old
+commodore’s hasn’t improved you much! I didn’t notice
+it last night by candle-light, but now I see you by daylight,
+you are as pale as a ghost.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, <i>that</i> she is,” chimed in several of the others.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is sitting so much over her needle! She sha’n’t do it
+again, that is certain,” said John positively.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, she sha’n’t, and I am glad this is Sunday, so she
+may have a complete rest,” added Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The nearest church was thirty miles off; so John
+Palmer’s family could only attend it once a month, on
+communion days, when they had to take a Saturday afternoon’s
+journey and stay over until Monday morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But whether they were privileged to go to church, or
+compelled to stay at home, the Sabbath was always conscientiously
+observed by them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After breakfast, when order was restored, John Palmer
+assembled his family and read the morning service, every
+member of the household taking part in it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They had always a nice, appetizing Sunday dinner,
+though no cooking was ever done beyond boiling water to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>make tea or coffee and warming over the soup and meat
+that had been prepared the day before.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After dinner each individual pleased himself or herself
+by reading, walking, talking or sleeping.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>This particular Sunday afternoon, however, all the
+family were assembled around the fire in the sitting-room,
+questioning Em. concerning her week’s sojourn on the
+mountain, and she was telling them all she could communicate
+without unveiling the mystery of her own heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While they were all thus engaged the old gatekeeper,
+’Sias, put his head in at the door and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Young Marse Lieutenant Ronald Bruce have come to see
+you, sar, and would like to pay his dispects, if conwenient.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mr. Bruce! Well, I declare!” exclaimed Susan Palmer
+in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Humph! I thought as much!” said Ann Whitlock
+significantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Am I to denounce de young ge’man into de house?”
+inquired old ’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, certainly,” cordially responded John Palmer, while
+Em.’s heart bounded with delight.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVI<br> <span class='c006'>PROPOSALS</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Heaven, forming each on other to depend,</div>
+      <div class='line'>As master, or as servant, or as friend,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Bids each on other for assistance call,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Till one man’s weakness makes the strength of all.</div>
+      <div class='line'>Wants, frailties, passions closer still ally</div>
+      <div class='line'>The common interest, or endear the tie.</div>
+      <div class='line'>To those we owe true friendship, love sincere,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Each home-felt joy that life inherits here.</div>
+      <div class='line in45'><span class='sc'>Pope.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Ronald Bruce came in smiling. All the family arose to
+receive him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>“Don’t let me disturb you, pray. How do you do, Mr.
+Palmer! And you, madam!” said the young man, shaking
+hands with John, bowing to Susan, and then pressing the
+hand of Em. before he finally subsided into the chair set
+for him by Tom.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hope you left the commodore and all the family well,
+sir?” hospitably inquired John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Quite well, thank you, Mr. Palmer. And I have no
+doubt, if they had known I was coming here, they would
+have sent kindest remembrances to you and your daughter,”
+replied Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! They didn’t know you were coming, then?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No. They were all taking their Sunday afternoon naps
+in their chambers when I left home.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah! Well, I am very glad to see you, Lieutenant, I
+am sure! Always take such pleasure in your sea stories!
+It’s almost like going to sea myself to hear you! And—well,
+I was thinking only to-day that the first time I should
+see you I would ask you how you spend Sundays on board
+ship. How <i>do</i> you, anyhow?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well,” laughed the young man, “as variously as you
+do on land. It depends on the character of the captain of
+the ship at sea, as it does on the master of the house ashore.
+Of course, much of the routine of ship duty must go on,
+just as some housework must be done. If the captain of
+the ship is a religious man we have divine service in the
+forenoon. In the afternoon every one spends his leisure
+as he pleases. I remember one Sunday afternoon——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And here, to please his desired father-in-law, Ronald
+Bruce launched into a sea story that soon absorbed all the
+attention of the family party.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Even old ’Sias and Aunt Monica stepped in and sat down
+in an obscure corner to listen. And not until it was finished
+could Mrs. Whitlock make up her mind to steal away
+and prepare an extra supper for the guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then old Monica and Uncle ’Sias followed to lend their
+aid.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I never see such idiwuts as John Palmer and Susan is!
+Do they think as that young hossifer comes here for the
+pleasure of seeing them, I wonder? Why don’t they all
+make some excuse and leave the young folks together and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>give ’em a chance!” burst forth Mrs. Whitlock as soon as she
+found herself in the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If he comes here after Miss Em., dey is right not to
+give him a chance to court her, ’cause no good can’t come
+out’n that; he being of a rich young gentleman, an’
+she——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“A <i>lady</i>, every inch of her,” broke in Mrs. Whitlock,
+cutting Aunt Monica’s speech short.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And so she may be in her ways an’ manners, an’ I don’t
+deny so she is. But, la! dat ain’t what <i>his</i> people would
+look at. Ole Marse Commodore Bruce is particular. Why,
+chillun, I used to know dat ole man good, an’ hear him
+talk, when he came to our old Marse Captain Wyndeworth’s
+oyster suppers. Bless patience, honeys, <i>blood</i> was his first
+’sideration an’ <i>money</i> was his second, an’ dat was all he
+would look at. An’ ’less our young gal had blood an’
+money, he’d never ’sent to ’ceiving <i>her</i> inter de Bruce
+famberly.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’d risk it,” said Ann Whitlock, as she addressed herself
+to the task of preparing a dainty supper for the guest
+to tempt him to repeat his visits, if other inducements besides
+Em. should be necessary.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile, in the parlor, John Palmer engaged the visitor’s
+attention exclusively, keeping him so busy in telling
+sea stories that the young man was in peril of having to
+draw upon his imagination, as well as upon his memory.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald got no opportunity of speaking a single word in
+confidence to Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Even when supper was announced and he drew the girl’s
+arm within his own to take her to the table, the family
+massed so closely that he could not even get a chance to
+breathe a syllable in her ear on the way to the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While the family were at supper Ann Whitlock busily
+prepared the spare room upstairs for the accommodation
+of their guest, saying to herself as she laid hickory logs
+across the andirons to build a cheerful fire:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>I</i> will make everything as pleasant as possible for him,
+anyhow, so as to ’tice him to come often. And I’ll ’courage
+’em to get married, too, no matter what nobody says. Once
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>they’re safe married nobody can’t unmarry ’em. That’s
+so!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After supper, when the family were regathered around
+the parlor fire, the sea stories were resumed, and never had
+a story-teller a more attentive and appreciative audience
+than had Ronald Bruce in John Palmer and his household.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the usual bedtime came, however, Susan Palmer
+began to grow restless, and as soon as Mr. Bruce came to
+the end of the tale he was then telling she got up and
+lighted a candle and put it in the hand of her husband,
+saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I reckon, John, as Mr. Bruce is about tired, and you’d
+better show him to his room.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I do reckon he can find it for himself!” said
+John, laughing, as he passed the candle over to Ronald,
+and added: “It’s the same room you occupied before, sir,
+and you know the way to it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Certainly,” replied the young man smilingly; and then
+more gravely he added: “I came here, Mr. Palmer, especially
+to seek a private interview with you on a matter
+of very great importance to me, at least. Can you give me
+a few moments alone before I leave here to-morrow morning?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, of course I can,” said John, staring with surprise
+and curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mr. Bruce then bowed good-night to the circle, raised
+the hand of Em. to his lips and left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I wonder what in the name o’ sense he’s got to
+say to you, John? Do you know?” eagerly inquired Susan
+Palmer as soon as their visitor had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, something about crops, or stocks, or something!
+You know his uncle wants him to give up the sea and attend
+to agriculture, and he knows no more o’ that than I
+do of navigation,” said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I s’pose that’s it,” concluded Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I never did see two such old goneys in my life!” muttered
+Ann Whitlock to herself. “Between them both,
+they’ll ruin that gal’s fortin, I know they will!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But nothing more was said, as the family were even then
+separating to retire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>As Em. went up to bid her father good-night she whispered
+these enigmatical words into his ear:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, father, please, <i>please</i> don’t deny him!” And she
+was gone before the startled and perplexed John could
+gather his scattered senses and ask what she meant.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Early the next morning Ronald Bruce arose, dressed in
+haste and hurried downstairs to seek the promised interview
+with his host.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He found John in the parlor waiting for him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, Mr. Bruce! Fine, bright morning, sir,
+though we had heavy frost last night. Hope you slept well,
+sir,” said Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, yes, very well,” replied the young man, telling
+an involuntary fib, for he had not slept a wink and had not
+meant to say so.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’ll just turn the key of this door, and we’ll be safe from
+interruption,” said John, suiting the action to the word.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then placing a chair for his guest and taking another
+for himself, he sat down and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I am ready to hear all that you have got to say,
+Lieutenant; but I warn you that I don’t know much more
+about crops and stocks than you do yourself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Crops and stocks!’” echoed the young man in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes! Wasn’t that what you wished to consult me
+upon?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Bless me, no!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What was it, then?” inquired Palmer in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Young Bruce hesitated in some confusion. The fact that
+the father-in-law-elect seemed so utterly unprepared to hear
+the honor that was intended him, had the natural effect of
+making the proposal doubly embarrassing to the suitor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He paused for a few moments longer and then broke the
+ice suddenly by saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mr. Palmer, I love your daughter Emolyn, and I have
+reason to know that she likes me. I came here to pray you
+to make us both happy by consenting to our marriage.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>If I were to tell you that John’s hair stood on end, I
+should not much exaggerate. His eyes fairly started from
+his head as he stared at the speaker, and faltered forth:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now look a here, young gentleman, look a here! Quiet
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>yourself like and think a bit. You <i>can’t</i> know what you’re
+a-talking about!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I do!” impatiently replied the young man, giving
+his dark head an irritable shake.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, maybe I didn’t understand you right,” said
+John helplessly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then I will repeat what I said. I asked you if you
+would do me the honor of giving me your daughter for a
+wife,” repeated Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear me! Dear me! What a pity! I never thought
+of such a thing! I am very sorry,” muttered John in a
+meditative way.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce sat watching and waiting until he lost
+the last remnant of patience and broke forth with:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mr. Palmer, do you understand my question <i>now</i>?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes—yes! Don’t get excited! I know what you said!
+And I know, too, what my girl meant when she asked me
+last night not to deny you! Lord help me! I feel awful
+cut up about it!” sighed John, running his fingers through
+his shock of “pepper and salt” hair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young officer looked somewhat fallen in his selfesteem
+as he gazed upon the overseer, who evidently did
+not feel the honor conferred upon him as he should have
+done, and he inquired somewhat sulkily:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why should you feel ‘cut up,’ as you call it, by my
+proposal?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, because it is like you have been making love to my
+child, and maybe getting her to be fond of you!” replied
+John with a profound sigh that seemed to come from the
+depth of his heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, that is just exactly what I have been doing—in
+the hope of winning her for my wife, with your consent.
+I come now to ask that consent; I only wait for that!”
+said Ronald earnestly. “And I don’t see why you should
+take the matter so very deeply to heart,” he added rather
+sullenly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John groaned and sighed, but answered nothing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“May I hope for your consent to my proposal, Mr. Palmer?”
+at length inquired the suitor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, Mr. Bruce! It can’t be, and it oughtn’t to be! I
+am hurt to the very bottom of my heart to have to say it,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>but I must say it. No, Mr. Bruce, you can’t have Em. for
+your wife!” said John Palmer firmly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young man turned pale with astonishment, mortification
+and anger.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“May I ask you <i>why</i> you reject me? Have you any objection
+to me personally?” he hotly demanded, as he arose
+and stood before John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To you personally as you stand there, sir, I could have
+no possible objection. You are a very well made young
+man, sound in wind and limb, of steady habits and good
+temper, though a little spirited. No, to you personally I
+would have no objection. And if you were only a young
+journeyman mechanic, or a young workman, I do not know
+any man in the world to whom I would sooner give my girl
+as a wife, or whom I would sooner welcome as a son-in-law;
+because I like you, Lieutenant Bruce! And if it would not
+sound queer from a man’s lips, I might almost say, I love
+you! <i>That</i> is what makes it so awfully cutting to have
+to refuse you! Oh, I wish you were a workman!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So do I, since you seem to consider it an indispensable
+condition; but if you approve of me as I am, why not
+accept me as I am?” inquired the young man, now half
+inclined to laugh and half to weep.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John shook his gray-black head in sorrowful silence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I can’t help being an officer in the navy; but I can help
+continuing to be so, and I will resign my commission and
+take up farming if you will give me Em.! I’ll do it at
+once, next week, to-day!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, and repent week after week, or even to-morrow!
+No, it will not do, Mr. Bruce! You are a gentleman born
+and not fit for Em. You can’t unmake yourself and make
+yourself over again, and therefore you can never be fit for
+Em. You must give up all thoughts of her at once and
+forever! I say it, and by all my soul’s hopes I mean it,
+young sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, good Heaven! I can not and will not give her up!
+To do so would be the ruin of our lives’ happiness!” exclaimed
+Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nonsense, young gentleman. To <i>marry</i> would be the
+ruin of your lives! Listen to me, sir. You and Em. are
+both too young to know yourselves, or to know life. Of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>course, you think now that if you could marry you would
+be perfectly happy. And so you might be for a few short
+weeks, while the novelty lasted. But you are a gentleman—she
+a poor man’s child. You have been differently brought
+up; these differences would crop out in course of time.
+You might repent of your marriage, think you could have
+done so much better if you could have married a lady of
+your own class, and so on——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Believe me, sir——” began the suitor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stop! hear me out,” said the father. “You might even
+come to despise my child, and to make her feel that she was
+despised. That would break her heart, and then—why, I
+might break your head!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce sprang to his feet and began to stride up
+and down the room in a sort of frenzy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What in the deuce do you take me for, Mr. Palmer,”
+he indignantly exclaimed, “that you should think me capable
+of such baseness! Or what do you take your daughter
+for, that you should deem it even possible that any man
+should ever ‘despise’ her! If you were not her father, I
+would not stand quietly to hear her maiden dignity so
+affronted!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You’re not standing so very quietly just at the present
+speaking, young gentleman, unless tearing up and down
+the room like a madman means your idea of standing
+quietly! Come, Mr. Bruce! Come, Mr. Bruce! You have
+no better friend on earth than I am. And the very friendliest
+thing I could do for you would be to put my foot down
+on the notion of you marrying my daughter. And what’s
+more, no girl ever had a lovinger father than Em. has in
+me, and the kindest thing I can do for her is to prevent
+her from becoming your wife.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I swear by all my hopes of salvation that I will make
+Emolyn Palmer my wife in the face of all the world and
+in defiance of all opposition!” exclaimed the young man,
+so transported with fury that he lost all self-command and
+sense of propriety.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I wonder why I don’t lift him by the scruff of his
+neck and the slack of his pants and pitch him out of the
+window?” thought John Palmer to himself. “Why? Because,
+with all his impudence, he loves my Em., poor fellow,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>almost as hard as I did her mother, and I am sorry
+for him. So I’ll be gentle with him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You have no right,” broke forth the young man once
+more, as he strode up and down the floor—“you have no
+right—no one has any right to separate two young people
+who love each other as I and Emolyn do! No right to ruin
+both our lives for the sake of gratifying your own particular
+whims of pride or prudence! I told my uncle and my
+mother so yesterday, and I tell you so to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Whe-ew!” exclaimed John. “So you mean to marry
+my daughter whether I will or not?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will marry my Emolyn in defiance of all insane opposition!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well. We’ll see. Please sit down here. I am
+going to send for Emolyn,” said John Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce threw himself into the chair and waited.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer went to the window, tapped upon it and
+called one of the boys who was chopping wood in the yard
+and who immediately approached.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ned, tell your sister Em. to come in here. I want to
+speak to her,” said the father.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The boy ran off to do his errand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer unlocked the door and set it open.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few moments Em. entered the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She looked very much flushed and embarrassed, and her
+color came and went as she glanced from her lover to her
+father. She seemed to feel that her fate was being weighed
+in the balance of the moment, and that a second might decide
+it for weal or woe.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, father. Good-morning, Mr. Bruce,” she
+faltered in low tones, compelling herself to this act of
+politeness, although her very heart seemed fainting within
+her for fear.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce bowed low to her salutation, while John
+Palmer held out his hand and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come here, my girl, I have something to say to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. went to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He encircled her with one arm and drew her close to his
+side while he said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em., my child, this good young gentleman here has
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>done us the honor to ask me for you as his wife—as most
+likely you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. gave a quick, short nod and caught her breath.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You did know, of course. Well, my daughter, there
+is no young man in the world that I like better than him—just
+as there is no young woman in the world that I love
+better than you. So, having the lasting happiness of both
+in view, I must decline this marriage for you, my Em.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Oh, father!</i>” she breathed almost under her breath.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“His friends would never consent to receive my child as
+a relative, Em. I would never consent for you to enter
+any family who would not be as <i>proud</i> to receive you as I
+should be to give you. Besides this, unequal marriages
+never end well. Where a gentleman marries a poor girl,
+however much he may seem to have loved her at first, he
+grows tired of her, perhaps ashamed of her, and ceases to
+love her, maybe begins to hate her——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, father! father!” moaned the girl in a low tone of
+anguish.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mr. Palmer, you must not say these things to your
+daughter! They are cruel, unmanly, and what is more,
+untrue, as far as I am concerned,” hotly interposed Ronald
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They are hard and bitter words, I know, young people,”
+said John Palmer, keeping his temper. “But bitters are
+tonics to cure weakness. Now, my Em., to <i>you</i> I speak.
+You are my child. This young gentleman here declares
+that he will marry you in defiance of his relations and
+yours, and all the world and the rest of mankind, as the late
+General Taylor used to say. The question, then, is this,
+my child: whether you will marry him without my consent
+and against my wishes? Answer, Em.!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Emolyn, pause! Do not commit yourself hastily by
+a promise that will drive me mad and make yourself miserable!”
+impetuously exclaimed the lover. “Take time to
+consider, Emolyn! Tell your father that you must have
+time!” he earnestly pleaded.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. raised her head. Her face was pale, and her eyes
+were full of tears; but she answered firmly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald, you know my heart; I must not take time to
+consider whether I shall obey my dear father or not. I
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>must not marry without his consent—I will not, dear
+father! Ronald, listen and be sure of this—if it should
+ever be right that we should marry, my dear father will
+consent; for he has nothing except our welfare in view.
+But do not mistake me, be sure of this also, that I will
+never marry without his consent,” Em. added, and covered
+her face with her hands to conceal the tears that were ready
+to stream from her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There, young gentleman, you have your answer from
+her as well as from me. She will not marry without my
+consent. If it should ever happen to be proper for you to
+marry I will give my consent. As that is not at all likely
+to occur, why, you had better not hope for it. And let me
+repeat, in this I have nothing but your happiness and hers
+at heart,” said John in earnest kindliness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce stamped viciously, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If there is anything in the world I detest, it is to suffer
+a grievous wrong and to be told that it is intended as a
+benefit.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I know,” said John. “Children always rebel ag’in
+the physic that is to cure ’em, or the whipping that is to
+reform ’em, although we always tell ’em it’s for their good.
+But ‘sich is life.’”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVII<br> <span class='c006'>THE RESCUE</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>She took the fruits of my advice;—</div>
+      <div class='line'>And he, repulsed—a short tale to make—</div>
+      <div class='line'>Fell into a sadness, thence into a fast,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness.</div>
+      <div class='line in32'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Mammy says, how if you don’t come in to breakfast
+it will all be sp’ilt,” were the prosaic words that cut short
+this trying interview, as little Molly put her smoothly-brushed
+black head into the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Run and tell mammy we will be there immediately,”
+said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>The little lass sped away on her errand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, sir! Come!” exclaimed John cheerfully. “Our
+boys were out among the partridges on Saturday afternoon
+and bagged a rare lot of fat ones. The mother has dressed
+them for breakfast, and we mustn’t let them spoil by waiting!
+Come, Em., little woman, cheer up! Nobody’s dead
+and nobody’s dying!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now it was the first impulse of Ronald Bruce to decline
+John Palmer’s further entertainment, and to hurry away
+without waiting for breakfast, but a glance from Em.’s imploring
+eyes restrained him, and he sulkily followed John
+and herself to the dining-room, where Susan, with the
+brightest smiles, bade him good-morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As they seated themselves at the table Em. purposely took
+a chair with her back to the window so that her troubled
+face might be thrown into shadow and escape the notice
+of her mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But if Susan Palmer failed to observe the tearful eyes
+of her daughter, she did not neglect to watch her guest
+and to see how he slighted her delicious broiled partridges
+and cream rolls.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am afraid you are not as hearty as usual this morning,
+Mr. Bruce!” she said at length.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, quite so, thanks! But this is rather earlier than
+I am accustomed to take breakfast,” said the young man
+ingeniously.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan had the good sense to seem satisfied with the explanation;
+but she remembered all the while that the early
+breakfast hour had not prevented Mr. Bruce from making
+a valiant onslaught upon the edibles on the occasion of his
+last visit.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As soon as breakfast was over Ronald prepared to take
+leave of the family.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>His horse was brought around to the door by ’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I hope you will come to see us just as often as you
+can conveniently, Mr. Bruce! Why, a visit from you, with
+your sea stories, is as good as a voyage round the world to
+John and the boys, penned up as they are in this here wally
+with a wall of mountains round them! Come often, sir!
+And la! why, if breakfast at seven o’clock in the morning
+is too airly for you, we might have it at eight or nine, or
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>any time,” said Susan Palmer cordially, as Ronald Bruce
+took leave of her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, very much; I shall remember your kindness,”
+returned the young man, without committing himself by
+a promise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He took a light and cheerful leave of the younger members
+of the family, and then went to the window where Em.
+stood looking out.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She turned as he joined her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He took her hand and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do not know when I shall be permitted to see you
+again, my dear and only love; but be sure of this—I will
+never give you up, Em.! Never, as I hope for heaven!
+God bless you, my darling!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And so saying, he pressed her hand and turned away.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer went out with him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am sorry, sir, that I cannot join in my wife’s invitation
+to you. But under the circumstances I think you and
+Em. had better not see each other again. I am grieved
+to the soul, I am, about all this. And—see here! I cannot
+let you go in this way! I’ll tell you what, now, listen!
+If you will agree not to see, or to speak to, or write to Em.,
+or to hold any sort of communication with her, for the
+space of one year from to-day, and if at the end of that
+time you and Em. retain your partiality for one another,
+and you come to me with the written consent of your lady
+mother and your gentleman uncle, why, then I will take
+back all my objections to the match! There, now! I can
+say no more than that. What do <i>you</i> say?” demanded John
+in a frank, hearty, almost joyous manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The countenance of the young man was not, however,
+gratefully responsive.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I ask no concessions of you, Mr. Palmer, because I can
+make no promises. I <i>must</i> have Em. for my wife if I can,
+and as <i>soon</i> as I can. Her happiness, as well as my own,
+depends upon it!” he answered, as he placed his foot in the
+stirrup and threw himself into the saddle.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well! Then my hope is in Em. She is a dutiful
+daughter, and she will obey me,” concluded John Palmer,
+as he waved his departing guest adieu and returned into
+the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>He looked around for Em.; but the girl was nowhere to
+be seen. He inquired for her and was told that she had
+gone upstairs to make the beds.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And I would just like to know,” said his wife, who had
+been his informant, “what they have been doing to Em. up
+there at the commodore’s to make her look so ill. I take my
+oath she does not look like the same child. I just think
+I’ll march myself up to the grand house and ask them what
+is the meaning of it all!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come here, my good woman. I’ll tell you all about
+it, and then we must drop the subject forever and a day
+and try to employ and amuse Em. and make her forget it,”
+said John, as he beckoned Susan to follow him into the
+parlor, where they would be more secure from interruption.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There John shut the door, put his wife into the big arm-chair,
+and taking another for himself, sat down before her
+and told her the whole story of Ronald Bruce and Emolyn
+Palmer’s love.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan listened in breathless astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To think of such a thing! It never once entered my
+head!” she exclaimed. “And Em. nothing but a child,
+hardly out of her short frocks and pantalettes! And he,
+you might say, almost a middle-aged man by comparison!
+And quite belonging to another world! But, oh, my poor
+girl!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear, I considered the best thing to do in such
+a case was to put my foot right down on it, and that I did.
+Though if I had thought as he’d a-made her happy in the
+long run I’d a-given my consent; but I knew he’d soon repent
+sich an unequal marriage, and that would break my
+girl’s heart, and so down I put my foot upon the whole
+thing! And now, Susan, we must never allude to what’s
+past, but try to comfort and cheer the child up.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mrs. Palmer agreed to that, and then they left the parlor
+and set about their several duties.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As for Em., she went hard to work—her panacea for
+all mental troubles. They all heard her singing as she
+shook up beds and swept floors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But when all the work was done, then came the reaction
+of artificial excitement—the life weariness, the heavy-heartedness,
+that she could not shake off.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>So many industrious hands about that house left so little
+to do!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><i>Her</i> hands could now find nothing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She thought she would walk down to the pier and take
+the little boat and make a visit to the island. She had not
+been to Edengarden for some weeks past; and this golden
+October day tempted her to the excursion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She went to find Susan and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mother, I am going out for an hour or two, if you would
+not mind.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, of course not, child. But where are you going,
+Em.?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To Edengarden, mother. I have not been there for so
+long a time.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, Em.; but, oh, my dear, don’t attempt to row
+the boat yourself! I know you <i>can</i> do it; but still for this
+once take old ’Sias with you! Will you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, mother, if you wish me to do so; but you know,
+dear, there is no danger. I can use an oar as well as I can
+a broom. And for the rest, you know what the country
+people about here say—that it requires a great deal of perseverance
+and presence of mind to drown one’s self in the
+‘Placide.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I know, Em.! But still, for this once, take old
+’Sias with you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will do so, mother,” replied the girl as she turned
+away.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. quickly wrapped herself in her black and white-checkered
+shawl, and put on her gray felt hat and left the
+house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She walked briskly down the leaf-strewn road that led
+through the thicket to the gate-house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here she found old ’Sias sitting on the step before the
+closed front door, smoking a stumpy clay pipe and basking
+in the golden sunshine of the autumn morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Uncle ’Sias, I am so glad to see you at leisure.
+Will you row me to Edengarden this morning?” she inquired,
+pausing before the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Miss Em.! Well, I ’clare to my goodness! De sight
+ob you down here axing me to go wid you a-rowing is good
+for to cure blindness!” exclaimed old ’Sias, taking the pipe
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>from his mouth and rising to his feet. “Why, you hasn’t
+been here—less see—not since las’ Augus’, I do believe.
+Yes, honey, to be sure I’ll take you a-rowing, and glad to do
+it, too,” he continued, as he emptied his pipe and put it
+into his pocket, and walked on beside Em. out of the gate
+and through the forest road leading to the river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are quite at leisure to go with me, Uncle ’Sias, I
+hope?” said the girl considerately.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, la! yes, honey! I hadn’t nuffin ’t all to do, and
+what’s more, I hadn’t no place to go to. You see dat dere
+shet-up door, didn’t you, honey?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, of course,” said Em., wondering to what that led.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, chile, dat shet-up door was bolted on the inside,”
+said ’Sias mysteriously.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, how was that?” inquired Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sereny been performing, honey! Sereny been performing,
+chile! Thanks be to goodness, Miss Em., dere ain’t
+much ha’r left on my head for her to twist her fingers in
+now! Lord, if Miss Abishey performed on King David like
+Sereny do on me, no wonder he wrote so many sollum sams!
+She’s been performing, honey, and arter she’d done performing
+she kicked me out and clapped the door to and
+bolted it! Dere, dat’s what Sereny did, and I feel as if I
+could write a sollum sam myself!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is really too bad!” cried Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now ain’t it, dough, honey? And de most aggravokingest
+part if it is to think as I’m her lawful lord and marster,
+as she swore beore de holy altar to lub, honor and obey!
+But law! what’s de use o’ talking? De wimmen don’t
+’member dem wows no longer’n dey get out’n de church!
+Leastways, I know Sereny didn’t! Purty way she lub me
+to pull all de ha’r out’n my head! Purty way she honor
+me to kick me out’n de house and slam de door and bolt it
+on me. And I her lord and marster! But you see, chile,
+dough I is her s’preme ruler, she’s de strongest ob de two,
+and dat’s de way she gets de better ob me! Now, I tell
+you what, Miss Em., if it should please de Lord to take
+Sereny, I think as I should be ’signed to His holy will, and
+I never would get another young wife to keep me warm in
+my ole age, ’cording to King David nor no other king! So
+dere, now! ’Cause de way dey hab o’ keepin’ you warm is
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>by pummeling and scalpin’ of you, and I don’t like it! So
+no young cullered gal needn’t be coming arter me if ebber
+I’m a widderer ag’n! ’Deed and ’deed needn’t dey!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They had by this time reached the water’s edge, where the
+little boat lay moored and rocking.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Shall I put up de sail, Miss Em.? But dere ain’t a
+breaf ob breeze, neider!” said ’Sias as he began to unmoor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no! We will row. You take the oars, I the tiller,
+and we shall skim the water like a bird,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So we will, Miss Em., and won’t that be sociable?”
+cried old ’Sias gleefully as he threw the chain ashore and
+took up the oars and placed them in their rests.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. nodded, entered the boat, seated herself, took the
+tiller and steered for the island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias laid himself sturdily to the oars, and the little
+boat sped on its way down the river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how glorious this is in autumn!” exclaimed the
+girl, as, forgetting all her troubles in the moment, she gazed
+with enthusiastic delight on the magnificent scene before
+her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The mighty river, rolling on in calm strength to the sea;
+the lofty precipices on the left, with their gray rocks dappled
+with clumps of evergreen trees and parterres of variegated
+moss, and brightened by springs and fountains of
+sparkling water dancing down their sides and losing themselves
+in the river; the undulating, wooded hills on the
+right, now changing into all the most brilliant colors of the
+autumn foliage—crimson, orange, purple, golden, scarlet—all
+blended and contrasted on the shore, and reflected in
+the shining river; the distant island, midway between the
+banks, resting on the bosom of the river and looking in the
+autumn dress of its groves like an immense bouquet of
+gorgeous exotics.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. sat and absorbed the beauty and glory of the scene
+into her soul, and never spoke again until they had reached
+the landing at Edengarden.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Miss Em., my honey, if you don’t mind walking
+up to de house by yourself, I think I’ll jes’ set here in de
+boat and smoke my pipe and think o’ King David and
+Abishey till you come back,” said old ’Sias as he steadied
+the boat to let his passenger step out.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>“Very well, Uncle ’Sias, I will not keep you long.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Never mind ’bout de ‘long,’ honey. I could stay here
+all day, willin’! It’s so quiet like here, and clean out’n de
+reach o’ Sereny,” replied the old man as he settled himself
+in his seat and took out his pipe and began to fill it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. walked on through the belt of silver maples that had
+now turned in their autumn tints so that they formed a
+golden girdle around the shores of the beautiful island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Passing through and out of them she walked up the ornate
+terraces where the clumps of trees in their fall dress
+of crimson, orange, and purple, looked like gigantic posies,
+and the parterres of flowers were rich in late roses, dahlias,
+chrysanthemums, and other autumn blooms.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Up, past arbors, statues, and fountains, to the white,
+colonnaded piazza that surrounded the white palace.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This might be the ‘Island of Calm Delights,’ and the
+fairy palace of the Princess Blandina, for its beauty and
+its solitude,” said Em. to herself as she went up the marble
+steps that led to the main entrance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She had intended to walk around the piazza to the rear
+of the house to get the key from the solitary housekeeper;
+but as soon as she stepped upon the porch she saw that the
+front door was open.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was not an unusual circumstance—Em. had twice, on
+former visits, found the door open when other sightseers
+happened to be present.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Therefore, without the least surprise or hesitation, she
+entered the beautiful hall and passed directly to the saloon,
+where that wondrous portrait of the “White Spirit” hung,
+which had, for her, so powerful a fascination.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>To her slight surprise now she saw no one present. The
+room was vacant. She went and opened one of the windows
+to throw a better light upon the lovely portrait, and then
+she turned and stood before it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>How perfectly proportioned was the slender, elegant
+form! How stately and graceful the attitude! How soft
+and flowing the drapery! How fair and delicate, how refined
+and spirituelle the lovely face, seen through the misty
+tissue of the falling veil, which seemed so real that Em.
+felt tempted to lift her hand and draw it aside that she
+might get a clearer view of the beautiful vision.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>As she gazed a new light broke upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, this is a bridal dress!” she said to herself.
+“Strange it never struck me so before, but I suppose it was
+because I had heard the lady always appeared veiled. But
+here she must have been painted in her bridal dress, for that
+is certainly a bridal veil.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, she was painted in her bridal dress,” murmured a
+voice, soft, sweet and low as the notes of an eolian harp.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. started and turned around, to be transfixed by a
+pair of soft, deep, dark-blue eyes, whose gaze held hers
+spellbound.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The “White Spirit” stood before her.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVIII<br> <span class='c006'>THE LADY OF EDENGARDEN</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>And scenes long past of joy and pain</div>
+      <div class='line'>Come wildering through her wondering brain.</div>
+      <div class='line in40'><span class='sc'>Scott.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Yes! There, holding the girl’s eyes spellbound by her
+mesmeric gaze, stood the Wonder of the Wilderness, the
+mysterious being known as the “White Spirit,” yet not in
+the traditional white robe and veil.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No! The Lady of Edengarden was attired as any other
+conventional gentlewoman of the period with artistic tastes
+might have been.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She wore a long flowing soft gray silk dress, with fine
+white lace about the throat and wrists, and with a knot
+of light-blue ribbon mixed with lace on her bosom, and
+another of the same materials among the braids of her
+sunny golden-brown hair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the face, with its delicate patrician features, its fair
+transparent complexion, and its soft, dreamy, dark-blue
+eyes, was the very same.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—I beg your pardon, madam,” stammered Em. with
+an effort to recover herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My child!—<i>Who are you?</i>” interrupted the lady, taking
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>her hand and turning her around to face the full light of
+the window.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am the daughter of John Palmer, the overseer at
+the Wilderness Manor, madam, Emolyn Palmer, and I
+thought——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em—olyn—Palm—er,” slowly repeated the lady, again
+interrupting the girl and gazing steadily on her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>To escape this searching gaze into her soul Em. first
+lowered her eyes and then raised them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Between the two front windows near which they stood
+hung a long pier glass. Em. caught a full view of the lady
+and herself as they stood together, reflected in the mirror,
+and started at the marvelous likeness revealed—in all except
+dress the two seemed almost duplicates. In the two
+faces there was scarcely even the perceptible difference that
+age should have made.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Emolyn Palmer!” slowly repeated the lady. “Yes, yes,
+to be sure, I know! Emolyn Palmer. Come here, my
+dear, and sit down.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And the lady led Em. to a <i>tête-à-tête</i> sofa, placed her in
+one corner, and took the other herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish to beg your pardon, madam. I am very sorry—I
+did not know you were here—or I should not have presumed
+to intrude,” faltered Em. in painful embarrassment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady did not answer, only continued to look at her
+thoughtfully, kindly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—I had understood that you were so good as to let
+the neighbors come in and look at your beautiful pictures
+and statues when you were away from home, and so I used
+to come very often last summer, though I was always in a
+dread for fear I should happen to come while you were
+here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady smiled on the young speaker, but made no
+answer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And now I have done what I had feared to do, and
+intruded on your privacy, madam. I am sorry, and I hope
+you will forgive me,” continued Em., half ashamed of
+having to say so much before receiving an answer, yet reassured
+by the lady’s sweet, silent smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You have done nothing that requires excuse, my child.
+You could have had no reason to suspect that I was present.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>I have never been here in the autumn before. I always
+came the first of May and went the last of September.
+Only this summer I went to Canada instead, and then came
+here on the first of October to spend the autumn. So you
+see you are blameless. Besides, Edengarden, with its house
+and grounds, is open to the neighbors at all seasons. Even
+when I am here only my private suite of rooms is reserved.
+They are at the top of the building; so you might have
+roamed all over the house if you had wished to do so without
+the fear of intrusion. And now let us talk of yourself,
+little one. Your name is Emolyn Palmer,” said the lady,
+taking the girl’s slender white hand in her own.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam; but everybody calls me Em.,” shyly answered
+the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not be afraid of me, my child! This is not the
+first time we have met.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. started and gazed at the speaker in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, my child, not the first time we have met. I held
+you in my arms and blessed you when you were a babe of
+only a few weeks old,” continued the Lady of Edengarden.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em.’s startled gaze of surprise softened as she lowered
+her eyes and reflected that this might easily have been the
+case, as her mother had many customers among fine ladies,
+whose little girls used to notice her babies.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you know for whom you were named, Emolyn?”
+gently inquired the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, madam. I was named for Miss Emolyn Wyndeworth,
+a saint, an angel; but she has been in heaven these
+many years.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How do you know that?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My mother has told me so all my life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Your mother cherishes her memory, then?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, yes, and speaks of her as pious Catholics speak
+of their patron saints.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Tell me of your mother, my child. I used to know
+her very long ago, when I lived in the world. Does she
+enjoy good health, and is she much more prosperous and
+much happier now at the Wilderness manor-house than she
+used to be in Laundry Lane?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To think you should know anything about Laundry
+Lane, dear lady! Why, even to me it seems like a place
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>in a past existence, that I had died in and risen out of,”
+murmured Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And yet it is scarcely six months since you left it, while
+it has been over sixteen years since I saw it. But about
+your mother, Emolyn.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, mother, too, is just as if she had died in Laundry
+Lane and risen to Paradise! She is just as healthy and
+hearty and happy as any human being can be. And she
+looks younger now than I ever saw her look. And so does
+father. Did you ever know father, madam?” cheerfully
+inquired Em., who was growing more and more at ease in
+the presence of the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I knew your father, too, my child,” breathed the
+latter in a low tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, father looks younger, too. He is not sallow now,
+and he doesn’t stoop. He’s ruddy as a red apple and
+straight as an arrow. And they are all as well and as happy
+as they can be at the Wilderness Manor. They have everything
+that heart can wish. Without being wealthy, they
+have all the enjoyments of wealth. And it is like Paradise
+after the purgatory of Laundry Lane.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thank the Lord that one family, at least, is made
+happy,” breathed the lady in low and earnest tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And we owe all that happiness to you, dear madam;
+for although they have never seen you, yet of course we
+know that you are our Lady of the Manor, Mrs. Lindsay,”
+said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Lindsay?’ ‘Mrs. Lindsay!’” repeated the lady in a
+tone of surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Lindsay—is not that your name?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No; but it does not matter. Tell me more of your
+mother. Has she any other children, younger than yourself,
+I mean?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, ma’am, as many younger as there are older.
+The four elder ones are all married and settled in the city
+where we came from, and we hear from them about once a
+month. They are all doing well. And the four younger
+ones are—in Paradise with us. And now, dear lady, may I
+ask you a question?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, certainly. Have I not asked you many?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, was it because you knew my dear father and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>mother that you caused your agent to engage them to take
+charge of the old manor?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady hesitated for a moment, and then replied:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, though at the time I did not care to be known in
+the transaction, and so acted only through my agent, Carmichael,
+and my friend Mrs. Willet.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! you knew Mrs. Willet, too! How many people
+and places you knew that we knew!” exclaimed Em. in glad
+surprise, losing all the shyness she had first felt in the
+presence of the strange lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, a good many. And in this very transaction I
+found a coadjutor in a friend of yours, whom, however,
+I did not know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“A friend of ours?” said Em. thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes; Lieutenant Ronald—Bruce,” said the lady, hesitating
+and then pronouncing the last word in a low tone
+and with a falling inflection.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh!” breathed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It appears that he had some time before appealed to
+the Willets to throw anything they could find to suit him
+in the way of John Palmer and his family. So, when the
+proposal came from my agent, John Palmer and his wife
+would have got the first offer upon Mr. Bruce’s standing
+recommendation, even if his name had not been mentioned
+in my private instructions.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then it is to you that we owe all our happiness! Oh!
+how grateful we should be, and <i>are</i>, madam, for we know
+that we enjoy many privileges not usually accorded to overseers
+and their families,” said Em., raising the lady’s hand
+to her lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It was my happiness to make you happy,” replied the
+latter in a low tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! how glad my mother will be to know that it is to
+a former friend she owes her present prosperity. But, dear
+lady, you say your name is not that which the country
+people have given you. Will you tell me what it is, so
+that I may rejoice my mother’s heart with the knowledge,
+that we may know whom to name when we invoke blessings
+on our benefactress?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Perhaps, my child. My name has never transpired in
+this neighborhood. None know it but the people of the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>legal profession who are my agents. The country folks here
+have given me more than one name—Lynn, Lindsay, and
+so forth—all being somewhat akin to my own name, to
+which they may have got some slight clew. But never mind
+about my name for the present; I wish to speak of yours.
+Have you any middle name?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, madam. I am Emolyn Wyndeworth Palmer.
+That is a very fine name for a poor girl; but mother wished
+to give me the whole of her <i>angel’s</i> name, she said, and so
+she had me baptized Emolyn Wyndeworth.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And you say that she for whom you were named died
+many years ago?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam, so many years ago that it was before my
+recollection. Oh, I often wish that I could have seen her
+once, only once, to have her image in my mind.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How came she to die so young, my child?” inquired
+the lady in a low tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do not know, madam; but mother says she was a
+martyr; that she had suffered a grevious wrong that broke
+her heart; but who had wronged her, or how she was
+wronged, mother never would tell—only she said there were
+some wrongs too great, and some sorrows too deep to be
+spoken of in this world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, yes, yes, yes,” murmured the Lady of Edengarden
+in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And then silence fell upon the two and lasted some
+minutes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Finally Em. rose to take leave.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are going?” said the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam. I have only time to get home before dark.
+If I should be out later my mother would fear something
+ill would happen to me. I am very grateful, dear lady, for
+your kindness to me to-day, as well as for your great goodness
+to our whole family. I wish you good-evening,” said
+Em., lifting the lady’s hand to her lips and then turning
+to depart.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stop,” said the Lady of Edengarden.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. obeyed, and stood waiting.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You wish to tell your mother the name of her unknown
+friend?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, madam—if you please,” eagerly exclaimed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>“Tell her, then, that I am one whom she used to know
+and love as Emolyn Wyndeworth.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. uttered a half-suppressed cry, reeled, and might
+have fallen, but that the lady sprang and caught her, supported
+her to the sofa, and sat her down in the corner,
+where she leaned back deathly pale and faint.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My child, I am very sorry for this; but I could not
+have supposed that my announcement would have startled
+you so much,” said the lady as she applied a small vinaigrette
+to the nose of the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, is it possible—can it be possible?” murmured Em.
+to herself. Then with an effort she sat up and said: “Forgive
+me, madam; but it is indeed as if one had returned
+from heaven to earth. It is not a dream? You are——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am Emolyn Wyndeworth, my dear, and more convinced
+than ever of the fond and faithful remembrance in
+which I have been held since the mere announcement of
+my name and presence has produced such a effect upon you,
+who had no personal recollection of me,” said the lady in
+a soothing tone as she passed her hand caressingly over the
+girl’s bright ringlets.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, how happy I shall be when—when I can realize all
+this; but now—now I am afraid of waking! Oh, I am,
+indeed, madam!” added Em. with a nervous little laugh.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady dropped her hand and left the room for a few
+moments, and then returned, bringing a glass of wine
+which she made Em. drink.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are almost hysterical over this surprise, my dear,”
+she said as she placed the empty glass on the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I was never so before. I should not have been so under
+any other surprise—but—to see one whom I had always
+been taught to reverence as a patron saint, or a guardian
+angel, standing bodily before me—oh! you know, madam,
+it seemed as if—<i>almost</i> as if a seraph had descended from
+heaven! Oh, how delighted, how past all delight my dear
+mother will be! And father, too! And Mrs. Whitlock!
+And Aunt Monica! Poor old Aunt Monica! Oh, I know,
+you used to know her! And, oh! <i>how</i> dearly she loved you!
+How fondly she talks of you to this day! Oh! what a
+jubilee there’ll be when I go home with my news—if I don’t
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>wake up first and find it all a wild dream!” exclaimed Em.,
+much revived by the wine she had tasted.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My impetuous child, how you run on! Uttering names
+that seemed to have been once as familiar as ‘household
+words’ to me, in that long past existence out of which I
+have died and risen! ‘Whitlock!’ ‘Monica!’ One was my
+dear old guardian’s housekeeper, and the other his nurse in
+his last fatal illness! But what can you know of them?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, they <i>live</i> with us—Mrs. Whitlock ever since I
+can remember, and old Aunt Monica ever since we moved
+out here. Father takes care of them both. And they both
+love you and mourn you, dear lady! And, <i>oh!</i> how enraptured
+they will be, past all expression, when they find out
+that—that—you still live in this world and they may look
+on your face again!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is it possible they are so near me? Old Aunt Monica,
+I shall be happy to see again. But for Mrs. Whitlock, I
+scarcely remember her, except as my guardian’s attendant.
+It seems strange that she should remember me at all. She
+saw so little of me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, dear lady, you were so good, believe me, many,
+many poor people remember you whom you most likely
+have forgotten.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now may Heaven forbid!” breathed the Lady of Edengarden
+in a low, earnest tone. Then, speaking to Em., she
+said: “My child, you must not flatter <i>any</i> one, and least
+of all <i>me</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, dearest madam, I do not know <i>how</i> to flatter! I
+speak only the very truth,” said Em. with a certain childish
+dignity.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Truth sometimes flatters. Do not praise me, little girl.
+I do not deserve it, and—I cannot bear it. I wish to be
+<i>forgiven</i>, not praised. To be <i>forgotten</i>, not remembered—except
+by the very few who love me. I have talked to <i>you</i>,
+young namesake, longer than I have talked with any one
+these fifteen years past. My heart seems strangely and tenderly
+drawn towards you, little girl. Perhaps it is because
+you are the child of one who was my most steadfast friend
+in a time of terrible trial. Perhaps, also, it is because you
+were named for me, and I held you in my arms and blessed
+you, when I myself had ‘most need of blessing.’ But all
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>that would hardly explain the yearning of my soul towards
+you, my child! my child!” said the lady as she took the
+hand of the young girl and drew her to her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! May I tell you something? May I tell you something?”
+muttered Em. in tones half smothered with emotion
+as she leaned on the bosom of the lady, held there in
+a close embrace.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Tell me anything you please, my child.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIX<br> <span class='c006'>THE GOOD FAIRY</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Better to hope, though the clouds hang low,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>And to keep the eyes still lifted,</div>
+      <div class='line'>For the sweet blue sky will soon peep through,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>When the ominous clouds are drifted.</div>
+      <div class='line'>There never was a night without a day,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Nor an evening without a morning;</div>
+      <div class='line'>And the darkest hour, the proverbs say,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Is just before the dawning.</div>
+      <div class='line in26'><span class='sc'>Baldwin’s Monthly.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Well, the first time I ever saw your portrait—that one
+hanging there in the bridal dress and veil—I loved it. Oh!
+I loved it so I could have sat all day and gazed upon it!
+And every time I have come back to the island it was not
+to see any of the beautiful objects, it was to spend all the
+time I had to spare in sitting before your portrait and gazing
+on it. And now I have <i>you</i>!” concluded the girl with a
+convulsive clasp of the lady’s form.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, now you have me,” replied the latter, once more
+reseating Em. on the sofa and sitting down beside her.
+“Now you have me. Therefore I feel the less hesitation
+about disabusing your mind about that picture. It is not
+my portrait, though very like me. It is my mother’s portrait,
+taken in her bridal costume.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What! that picture the image of you, dear madam, and
+yet not you! But it is beautiful! Beautiful, for all that,”
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>exclaimed Em., gazing from the face of the lady to that of
+the picture.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My mother was a most beautiful woman,” murmured
+the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And the portrait which hangs in the long drawing-room
+of the old Wilderness manor-house—the portrait of a lady
+in the costume of the time of Queen Elizabeth—whose face
+so much resembles yours and your mother’s?” said Em.
+interrogatively.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, the portrait of a remote ancestress, <i>so</i> remote that
+even tradition has little to say about her, except that Sir
+Walter Raleigh wrote sonnets in praise of her beauty.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That beauty has been faithfully handed down,” said
+Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The resemblance has, at any rate. But, my child, who
+told you that the picture there was my portrait?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! Several persons, I think; but the first person who
+said so was old ’Sias, the gate-porter at the Wilderness
+Manor.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah! I know—a little shriveled old man who refers
+everything back to the time when he was a boy, several
+hundred years ago, ‘more or less?’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes,” laughed Em., “the very same.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What other marvels did he tell you about me? I
+would like to know. I have never seen the old creature, nor
+any one else belonging to the old Wilderness estate, although
+I am their lady; but I have heard about them
+through my agent, and I am aware that many strange reports
+are afloat respecting myself, merely because I appear
+here only a few months in the year, and then live a strictly
+secluded life. Come! What have you heard respecting
+your namesake, Emolyn?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, dear lady, many absurd rumors, that I now perceive
+must have been false. That you were a semi-supernatural
+being—a ‘White Spirit’; that your form was seldom visible,
+but when seen it was clothed from head to foot in long,
+white robes; that your face was never seen by any one, for
+it was always hidden beneath a white veil that flowed over
+your whole figure.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I could laugh, Emolyn, were not my laughing days past.
+White, indeed, is my usual dress when here in summer. It
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>is the most convenient and comfortable wearing apparel.
+Often, too, when walking about the grounds of my isolated
+island home I have thrown over my head, instead of hat
+or bonnet, a white gauze scarf. From their boats on the
+river, or even when sightseeing on the island, or in the
+house, the marvel-mongers have seen me so, and so reported
+me. You know how a story grows by repetition where there
+is nothing to contradict it? I was never seen in any way
+but this, for I never left my island home except to leave
+the country, and I never received any visitors. Behold the
+mystery of the White Spirit!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. sighed. It is not always and to all persons an unmixed
+pleasure to have a beautiful supernatural illusion
+dispelled. She would have liked to tell the lady her vision
+of the radiant woman, on the first and second night of her
+stay in the old Wilderness manor-house; but she felt that
+the time had not come for such confidences; and, furthermore,
+that the time had come half an hour ago for her to
+take leave of her new friend and start for home.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And what more do they say of me, child?” continued
+the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That you are the benefactress of the neighborhood and—White
+Spirit, or what not—you are an angel of benevolence.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It shames me to be over-praised, little girl. Tell me
+something they say which is not praise.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, some scout the White Spirit; they say you are a
+childless widow, and that your name is Mrs. Lynn.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They do know quite a great deal about me, it seems.
+Well, my dear child, as to this last rumor, it is not for <i>you</i>
+to set them right by making any explanations. You could
+not even do it properly, because you do not know the circumstances.
+Let people continue to speak of me as widow,
+and to call me Mrs. Lynn! They will not be so far wrong.
+Lynn is only an abbreviation of my rightful name—however
+they came by such a fractional part of the truth! So,
+my dear, let me still be Mrs. Lynn to those who like to
+call me so. And mark me—to no one except your father,
+your mother, and old Monica, must you reveal the secret
+that the Lady of Edengarden is no other than the poor
+Emolyn Wyndeworth. They will respect my wishes and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>keep my secret. The world thinks that I am dead, and it
+thinks truly, for I am dead to the world. I come out of my
+grave only for the sake of the few who love me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You dream beautiful dreams in your grave, dear lady!
+you who dreamed this Edengarden into existence!” murmured
+Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you love this beauty so much, fair child? Then
+perhaps you will come and share it with me. You are my
+little namesake. I shall beg you of your mother some of
+these days. She has so many daughters she might spare you
+to me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, she would! she would! My dear mother would
+give you anything in her possession that you might ask of
+her! And as for me—oh, how I should love to live with
+you!” exclaimed Em. with a burst of enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What! and leave your <i>own</i> mother?” wistfully inquired
+the lady, as if to test the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, my dear mother has father and so many other boys
+and girls, as you said, she can spare me; and <i>you have no
+one to love you</i>,” answered Em. in a voice of ineffable tenderness
+and pathos.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady stooped and kissed her for all reply.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how hard it is to get away! How I dislike to go.
+Yet I must. I have overstayed my time. Dear lady, good-evening,”
+said Em. as she arose and lifted the lady’s hand
+to her lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stay! Who is going to take you home?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Old ’Sias, the gatekeeper, madam.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He of the ‘hundred and fifty years, more or less?’
+Where is he?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Waiting below, madam, in his boat—<i>The White Dove</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then come, my dear, and I will walk with you as far as
+the Silver Circle, for so we call the grove of maple trees
+that surrounds the shores of the island—though it is a golden
+circle now, for the leaves have put on their autumn
+livery,” said Mrs. Lynn, as she lifted a light shawl of shining
+silky white gauze from a table near, threw it over her
+head and shoulders and led the way from the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is a beautiful girdle of maples around the island—silvery
+in the summer and golden in the autumn,” said
+Em. as she walked beside her conductress down the marble
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>steps that led from terrace to terrace from the summit to
+the plain.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Some day you shall see that golden circle from the top
+of the observatory, for from there you can see the whole of
+it and the effect is very fine,” answered the Lady of Edengarden
+as they crossed the beautiful grounds and entered
+the circular grove.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I shall wish to come so often, for now it will not
+be the likeness but the living lady that I shall long to see,”
+said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You shall come as often as you like, and stay as long
+as you like. And tell your mother, dear, that I never leave
+the confines of the island, except when I leave the country.
+So I cannot go to see her; but I would be very happy to
+see her here—and your father and old Aunt Monica. They
+could come, as others come to see the island, and then they
+should see me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And Ann Whitlock? <i>Poor</i> Ann Whitlock?” pleaded
+Em. as the lady paused to take leave.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, my child, I do not know much about her; and
+my secret must not be confided to any one but the three
+faithful friends in whom I can utterly confide. Not that
+there is anything at stake, either; only, you see, poor
+Emolyn Wyndeworth was stoned to death many years ago,
+and she is dead and in her grave, and she will rise only
+for the two or three who love her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, but you dream such beautiful dreams in death. You
+have dreamed this once barren rock into a blooming paradise,
+you have dreamed blessings all around you! Oh! how
+I wish I could dream such beautiful dreams as you do!
+Especially that I could dream such blessings on all the
+poor!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stay, my child! I have just thought how I may employ
+you. You shall realize the dreams of blessings. My
+almoner is somewhat indolent with declining years, and not
+quite equal to her duties. You shall be a ministering angel
+to the needy, and find out all who are poor, sick, or suffering
+in mind or body, and bring them to my knowledge, and
+afterwards take them relief according to their requirements.
+I am sure such occupation would suit you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>“It would make me happier than I ever hoped to be in
+this world!” exclaimed Em. with enthusiastic delight.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come to me, then, to-morrow. And let the others that
+I have named come then, or at any other time. See! the
+sun is on the verge of the horizon. You must hasten home.
+Oh! my darling, I am so thankful you wandered over my
+grave and raised me from it. Good-night! God bless you!”
+And the lady drew the maiden to her bosom and kissed her
+and turned away.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. watched the receding figure until it was lost in the
+grove, and then she hurried down to the shore, where she
+found the boat tied to its post and rocking on the water, and
+old ’Sias sitting in the stern fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She woke him up, and then said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have kept you waiting too long, haven’t I, Uncle
+’Sias? I have been gone more than three hours.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, honey; I has had a lubly quiet time here by
+myself! And I had such a hebbenly dream! I dreamed
+how de Lord had tuk Sereny—or de debbil had got her, I
+didn’t know which; ennyhow she had ’parted dis life, and I
+was libbin’ alone at de gate-house and smokin’ my pipe in
+peace ’dout de fear o’ being scalped or performed on enny
+more, and how you and Marse Lieutenant Ronald Bruce,
+Esquire, was de lord and lady ob de manor libbin’ up at de
+hall, and you was a-gwine out for a drive in a cherryrout
+and four, and you called me to open de gate, and I jumped
+to do it and woke up and found it was all a dream! How
+dese dere ’cevin’ dreams do cheat us, Miss Em.,” said the
+old man as he busied himself untying the boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They do so, Uncle ’Sias! But don’t let this dream cheat
+us into being out after dark. Make haste, please,” said Em.
+as she stepped into the boat and seated herself and took the
+tiller.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man laid himself heartily to the oars, and the
+little boat shot from the shore and soon left the island far
+behind it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The sun had sunk behind the mountains that formed the
+west bank of the river, and cast their deep shadow far
+across the water; but Em., for the first time, took little
+notice of the changes in the face of nature—she was absorbed
+in thoughts of the strange discovery she had made
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>that day—the White Spirit, the Wonder of the Wilderness,
+the Lady of Edengarden, no other than Emolyn Wyndeworth,
+who had disappeared from the world so long ago,
+that she was supposed to have been many years in Heaven.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>How amazed, how incredulous, and at length how delighted
+her mother would be to hear the news!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the strangest truth in the girl’s experience now was
+the sudden and perfect love and trust she already reposed
+in Emolyn Wyndeworth, the Lady of Edengarden! She
+felt that near that lady was <i>rest</i>—rest for her own troubled
+heart; that on her bosom, as on some angel mother’s, she
+could lay her weary head and tell all the secret thoughts and
+affections, faults and temptations that troubled her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She even resolved as she sat silently meditating in her
+seat, while she mechanically steered the boat, that some day
+she would tell this lady all about her ill-starred love affair
+with Ronald Bruce, for surely the sympathetic Emolyn
+Wyndeworth would be a disinterested umpire between the
+old and young. And who knew? she was so wonderfully
+powerful she might even find a way to make them—the
+poor young lovers—happy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here, Miss Em.! Whar yer gwine? Here we is op’sit’
+de landin’, honey! Turn in!” were the words of old ’Sias
+that woke Em. from her deep reverie.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She steered for the landing and in a few minutes
+reached it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias drew in his oars and secured the boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. jumped out and stood waiting until the old man
+joined her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then they walked through the woods together. It was
+growing dark and there was no moon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they reached the park wall and the gate-house Em.
+took a silver half dollar from her pocket and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here, Uncle ’Sias, give this to Sereny from me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Miss Em. Thanky, honey! I understands! You
+give me this for Sereny ’cause yer think maybe it’ll save
+me from a performance. Which you may be sure it will,
+honey. But I ain’t a-gwine to leabe you here, Miss Em.
+I gwine to see yer safe t’rough dese woods and in sight ob
+de house ennyhow,” said old ’Sias as he persistently trotted
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>by the young girl’s side, guarding her with the fidelity of a
+Newfoundland dog.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was surprising, too, to see how fast the little old man
+could get on with the aid of his short, thick stick, which, at
+every step, he put down with the vim of a third foot.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They soon came out of the thickest woods to where the
+trees grew farther apart, under the walls of the manor-house.
+They diverged to the right, where the broad gate
+leading to the rear of the premises stood open, and through
+which they could see the firelight gleaming from the windows
+of the Red Wing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here the old man stopped and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’ll bid yer good-night here, Miss Em., and hurry back
+home. No use to try Sereny’s temper more’n necessary, if
+I has got a silver half dollar to satisfy her. So I’ll bid you
+good-night, and de Lord bless you, honey.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And you, too, Uncle ’Sias, good-night, and thanks,”
+answered Em. as she entered the gate and walked rapidly
+towards the lighted windows of her cheerful home.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XX<br> <span class='c006'>REVIVAL</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>’Twas many and many a year ago,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>In days when we were young,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And o’er all life’s coming morning, lo!</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Hope’s magic glory hung.</div>
+      <div class='line in35'><span class='sc'>Persever.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Well, Em. Palmer, and where have you been? I had
+been expecting you home for more’n an hour, and was just
+thinking of sending Tom to look for you, for fear something
+had happened to you!” exclaimed Susan Palmer on
+seeing her daughter enter the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have been nowhere but to Edengarden, mother,” answered
+the girl as she threw off her shawl and bonnet and
+prepared to help the busy housewife, who was actively engaged
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>in preparing the supper, while the three little girls
+were all employed in setting the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But what kept you so long? It’s dangerous for a young
+girl to stay out so late in these woods!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, dear mother, I was safe enough! Old ’Sias came
+with me up to the gate; and as for what kept me,” said the
+girl, coming up close to the side of the woman, “I will tell
+you that as soon as we are alone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—I hope it was no harm!” whispered Susan anxiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“None in the world, dear mother, but something that you
+will be glad to hear, and, <i>hush</i>, I can’t tell you here! But
+where is Aunt Monica that you should be getting supper?”
+inquired Em. aloud.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Aunt Monica is a fixture at the bedside of Ann
+Whitlock!” answered Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ann Whitlock! What, is she sick? She was well
+enough when I left home!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She’s sick enough now, then. She fell down in a fit this
+afternoon as sudden as if she’d been shot or struck with
+lightning! She was sitting at this very fire, knitting, when
+it happened. If I hadn’t been on the spot and picked her
+up in a minute she might ’a’ been burnt to death!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how shocking! Oh, how sorry I am! What was it,
+mother? What sort of a fit?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Monica says it is a paralytic stroke, just like that what
+laid her own old marster low. You see, Monica was in the
+room when it happened, and she helped me to tote the old
+woman to the settee and lay her on it. And then, while we
+’plied hartshorn to her nose and beat her hands and that, I
+sent all the children in different directions to hunt for their
+father, for I didn’t exactly know whether he was in the barn
+or the stables, or where. But, law; we might as well ’a’ beat
+a dead corpse! She didn’t give no more signs of life, nor
+nothing!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how <i>dreadful</i>!” cried Em., sitting down and clasping
+her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, so it is; but you know Ann Whitlock was quite
+aged.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She never had a spell of sickness in her life before,
+though!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, if she had had she might have died. As it is, she
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>has lived to this old age until all her body is worn out at
+once, and down she draps!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Has a doctor seen her? But, oh, of course not! There
+has been no time to get one here! But has a doctor been
+sent for, mother?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I was just a-going to tell you, Em. The boys found
+their father in the stables and told him what had happened,
+and he told them to saddle one of the fastest horses and
+bring it round to the door for him, and he, you see, hurried
+on to the house as hard as ever he could to see exactly what
+was the matter. When he see Ann Whitlock lying in that
+state on the wooden settee he said how we must get her up
+to her own bed as soon as possible, and so he helped me and
+Monica to tote her upstairs, and, law, Em., it almost broke
+the three backs of us, she is such a heavy old woman, poor
+soul!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Poor soul!” echoed the girl with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, child, John left us to undress her and get her between
+the sheets as well as she could, and he mounted
+Queen Bess, and off he went for Greyrock to fetch a doctor,
+and as that is thirty miles off, he said he didn’t expect
+to be back much before to-morrow morning.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And, oh, will she have to wait all that time for attendance?”
+exclaimed Em., clasping her hands in dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She might have had to do so; but, thank fortune, she
+didn’t; for what do you think—as your father was tearing
+along for life and death on the river turnpike he met Dr.
+Willet full tilt in the road!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Dr. Willet!</span>” exclaimed Em. in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Dr. Willet!</i>” repeated Susan. “Yes, Dr. Willet, who,
+it seems, and reached Greyrock in the stagecoach this
+morning, and after resting himself had hired a horse and
+started to ride to The Breezes, where he was going to pay
+a long promised visit to his friend and neighbor, Commodore
+Bruce! There! what do you think of that? If your
+father, or if the doctor had been five minutes earlier or later
+they must have missed each other, for the doctor had just
+reached that part of the road where it turns from the river
+’pike to enter the mountain pass leading to The Breezes!
+There! and if your father had missed him he would have
+to have ridden thirty miles to Greyrock, and thirty miles
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>back, making sixty altogether, before he would have got a
+doctor to poor old Ann Whitlock. But there he met Dr.
+Willet right in the very nick of time. Now, what do you
+think of <i>that</i>, Em?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It was astonishing and most fortunate,” said the girl;
+but her thoughts reverted to the more astonishing news she
+had in store for her mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, you know as both was a-going of it as hard as they
+ever could go, they all but rid over each other before they
+knew it; and then they were so glad to see each other, and
+John thanked Dr. Willet for the hand he had in getting of
+him such a good situation as he’s got now; and Dr. Willet
+asked John how all the family was, and then when John
+told him all was well and hearty save Ann Whitlock, which
+had just fell down in a fit, why, Dr. Willet just turned his
+horse’s head immediate, and said he would come and look
+after the poor woman, whom he had known in old times as a
+skilful sick-nurse. So about an hour after I had seen John
+ride away, to be gone all night, after the Greyrock doctor,
+you may just fancy my astonishment to see him come riding
+in with Dr. Willet. Why, I rubbed my eyes—as much expecting
+to see the President as he!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But what did he say about poor Auntie Whitlock? Did
+he say her attack was dangerous—fatal?” anxiously inquired
+Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He said it was a paralytic stroke. She might get over
+it or she might not; and he gave most particular directions
+how to treat her, and said as how he would see her every
+day during his stay at The Breezes. We will all do the
+best we can for her, Em., the same as if she was my mother
+and your grandmother; but, Lord! child, when a woman
+gets to be seventy-five what can you expect but her removal
+to a better life?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, mother,” sighed Em; for she was as yet too young,
+too much in love with this present life to think very seriously
+of that which is to come.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here’s father and the boys. Now put supper on the
+table, Em.!” said Susan Palmer as John and his two lads
+entered the kitchen, which, since the weather had turned
+cold, was used as a dining-room as well.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Miss Runaway! And where have you been all
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>day?” inquired John Palmer good-humoredly as soon as
+he saw Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Only to the island, father, dear,” she answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She says she’ll tell me what kept her by and by. Some
+poor folks, I s’pose, that she stopped to do something for.
+Come, John, sit down and begin, or your supper’ll be cold,”
+said the practical housewife.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John was an obedient husband besides being a hungry
+man, and so he sat down, asked a blessing, and then made
+a vigorous attack on the viands before him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They were still at the table when there came a rap at the
+kitchen door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em., being the nearest, left her seat and opened it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then, to the surprise of every one, Lieutenant Ronald
+Bruce walked into the kitchen. Yes, walked in with the
+innocent and delighted air of a child who was doing a voluntary
+good deed for which he expected to be praised and
+rewarded. And then—just as if he had not been forbidden
+the house that very morning, and had not departed both in
+sorrow and in anger—he shook hands with Em., saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-evening, Miss Palmer. I hope you are quite
+well;” and then impudently walked up to John and Susan,
+shook hands with them both, nodded to the young ones,
+and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mr. Palmer, I come to you from The Breezes on an errand.
+Dr. Willet was remarking that your sick woman,
+Mrs. Whitlock, needed brandy, and that none good was to
+be found in the neighborhood. So my uncle sent down to
+his own cellar at once and had up two bottles of this rare
+old cognac—vintage 1781—and he sends it to you with his
+good wishes. Here it is!” concluded the young man, taking
+from each side pocket a long brown paper parcel, unrolling
+them and displaying two dusty, mouldy, cobwebbed bottles,
+which he stood upon the supper table.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now what could John or Susan do or say?</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>I will tell you what Em. did. She set a chair before a
+vacant place at the table and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Will you join us and take a cup of tea, Mr. Bruce?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks; I will gladly do so if Mrs. Palmer will permit
+me,” smilingly answered the young man, as, taking this permission
+for granted, he seated himself in the offered chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>“I’m a thousand times obliged to Commodore Bruce, and
+so would Mrs. Whitlock be if she was conscious enough to
+know anything about it. But I must say I am sorry, sir,
+that you should have taken the unusual trouble to bring it
+over yourself,” said John, divided as to his emotions between
+gratitude and indignation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now who <i>was</i> to bring it but me? The commodore is
+too old, and the doctor too tired to turn out after dinner.
+And as to trusting one of the men servants—why, see here!
+I’d trust any of them with any amount of money or of
+jewels, and they would carry either safe as a bank. But
+when it comes to old cognac brandy, why all the saints and
+angels in heaven couldn’t prevent one of them from drinking
+half the contents of the bottles and filling them up with
+spring water! And then you know the brandy would never
+get here at all. The messenger would have been dead drunk
+before night, and dead, <i>dead</i> before morning, and <i>honest</i>
+from that time forth, having made a meal for many crows!
+Now do you see? The affair is in a nutshell. I had to
+bring the brandy myself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And I am sure it was very kind of you, sir, and we
+are all very grateful,” said Susan Palmer politely as she
+handed the unbidden guest a cup of tea.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John sighed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I tried to put a damper on this here; but it’s no use.
+‘Sich is life,’” he muttered in confidence to his own grizzled
+black beard.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And you’ll not turn me out to-night, I feel sure, my
+kind hostess?” said the young man as he bowed in accepting
+the cup and the compliment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed, no! Your room is ready just as you left it this
+morning! Turn you out, indeed! What! to ride up that
+breakneck mountain-pass in the dead of night? Not likely.
+Even if you wanted to go ever so much I wouldn’t let you
+do it, no, not if I had to keep you by force and violence!”
+said Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Quite right. I shall give you no trouble, my gentle
+jailer,” laughed Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As soon as supper was over Em. slipped away and went
+upstairs to inquire how her poor old friend, Mrs. Whitlock,
+was.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>Ann Whitlock’s chamber was over the dining-room. As
+Em. entered it she saw that it was at once warmed and
+lighted by a blazing wood fire in the fireplace, near which
+sat old Monica in a big arm-chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The sick woman lay on her comfortable bed, apparently
+asleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. closed the door noiselessly and crossed the room on
+tiptoe. When she had reached the side of old Monica she
+whispered:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Will my whispering disturb her?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, honey; nothing ’sturbs her. She don’t take no
+notice ob nothing,” answered the old nurse, not in a whisper
+exactly, but in that low tone that well-trained people
+use in a sick-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is she very ill, Aunt Monica? <i>You</i> know as well as
+anybody.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, honey. Not near so bad as what old marster
+was. Why, <i>she</i> can swallow and look at you; dough she
+can’t move or speak.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you think she will get over it?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, dough I doubt she will ebber be as well as
+she was before. And whenebber she hab another ’tack like
+dis it will be sure to finish her, honey! But she’s gettin’
+de best of ’tention now, you may be sure, honey.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know she is. Now, Aunt Monica, I will take your
+place and watch here until you go down and get your
+supper.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No such thing, Miss Em.! I heard young Captain
+Bruce come in just now, and I ain’t a-gwine to take you
+away from his company for de sake o’ my supper. So you
+go right straight downstairs and entertain de young gentleman
+as you ought for to do!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, Aunt Monica; you know that I will not. Mrs.
+Whitlock has always been a kind friend to me, and I must
+help to wait on her. Go now and get your supper.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, Miss Em., when you have once said a thing I
+know you’ll stick to it; so I’ll go down,” replied the old
+woman, getting up and leaving the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. went to the bedside and looked at the paralytic.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ann Whitlock lay there like one placidly sleeping; there
+was no sign of suffering about her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>Em. knelt beside her and offered up an earnest prayer
+for her recovery, and then she returned to her arm-chair
+before the fire, sat down and lapsed into thought. She had
+so much to think of! Her meeting with the Lady of Edengarden;
+her discovery of the identity of this lady with that
+of the long mourned Emolyn Wyndeworth; the strong,
+mutual attraction that seemed to draw and bind her to that
+lady and that lady to her; the fatal attack of Ann Whitlock;
+the unexpected arrival of Dr. Willet; the sudden reappearance
+of Ronald Bruce;—all these unexpected events
+that seemed to have in them something of the nature of
+destiny took hold on her imagination, filled her mind and
+occupied all her thoughts.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Time passed unheeded until the re-entrance of old Monica,
+who unceremoniously said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, honey, if you please, I’ll jes’ take my old rocking-chair,
+and you’ll go downstairs to your young man! Young
+man for young gal, and ole rocking-chair for ole ’omen.
+Behold de beauty ob de ’daptations!” concluded Aunt Monica
+as she settled herself in the depths of the softly-cushioned
+arm-chair and put out her feet to the fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. stepped on tiptoe from the room, noiselessly closed
+the door behind her and went downstairs, where she found
+the family circle gathered around the kitchen fire listening
+to one of Ronald’s sea yarns.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young man arose and gave her his chair and went
+and got another, which he took good care to place beside her
+as he seated himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>How Ronald taxed his brain that night to invent marvelous
+stories of voyages, storms, battles, fires, shipwrecks,
+rescues, pirates, barbarous shores, desert islands, deliverances,
+and treasure-trove!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And how John listened with eyes wide open and mouth
+often agape to swallow such huge prodigies.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a short pause, while John mended the fire, Ronald
+found time to whisper to Em.:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If everything else goes by the board, my dear, and you
+and I have to go to housekeeping together in a cottage I
+can keep the pot boiling by writing stories for the papers,
+can’t I?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Ronald! Then it is not all true?” whispered Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>“I suppose it is—of some other people on some other
+seas and shores, on some other planets in this boundless
+universe, or it never would have come into my head; but it
+is not true of <i>this</i> world, as far as I know!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the last wonderful tale was told the family separated
+and retired to bed, leaving only Em. and her mother
+to settle up the kitchen.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXI<br> <span class='c006'>THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Heaven has to all allotted, soon or late,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Some happy revolution of their fate;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Whose motions, if we watch and guide with skill,</div>
+      <div class='line'>(For human good depends on human will,)</div>
+      <div class='line'>Our fortune rolls as from a smooth descent,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And from the first direction takes its bent.</div>
+      <div class='line in43'><span class='sc'>Dryden.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Do you think they are all in bed and asleep?” whispered
+Em. as, having covered up the kitchen fire, the mother and
+daughter stood for a moment on the hearth, each with a
+short candle in a brass candlestick in her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They are all abed, I’ll warrant you. I can’t say about
+their being asleep, though. Why do you ask?” inquired
+Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Because one or another of the boys, or father, is sometimes
+going around after some door or window they have
+forgotten to look to, or something else, long after we have
+supposed them to be abed and asleep, mother.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, what of it, Em.?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, mother, I have something to tell you that I do
+not wish to have overheard by anybody.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is it the reason why you have stayed out so long?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, mother.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, now, Em., that can keep till to-morrow morning.
+I know it’s about some poor family you have been visiting
+and want me to help, without your telling me, and I can
+attend to it to-morrow. I am too tired to-night for anything
+but my bed. There!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>“But, dear mother, it is not about any family that needs
+help, or anything of the sort! Oh, mother, it is something
+I cannot speak to you of in the morning, when there is so
+much going to and fro, and we have no privacy.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, I do suppose it is about Ronald Bruce you
+want to talk to me. But it is of no use, Em.! I agree with
+your father. You must give that young man up and forget
+him. And after to-morrow he <i>must not</i> be allowed to come
+here again! He got his walking papers this morning, and
+he ought to have been guided by them and not returned.
+Though, of course, as he did so, and brought that rare old
+brandy for the sick woman, I had to attend to him and
+treat him with politeness. And, besides, to tell the truth, he
+has a way with him that nobody can resist. That’s the
+reason I say he must <i>never</i> come here again! I told your
+father that he must put him <i>on his honor</i> not to come again
+unless he came with Commodore Bruce’s authority to marry
+you. As that’s impossible, he’s sure not to return.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It was not of Mr. Bruce I wished to speak, mother,”
+said Em. in a low tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, what in the name o’ sense was it?” demanded
+Susan Palmer somewhat impatiently, for she was
+tired and sleepy, and wearying for bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. drew nearer, put her lips to her mother’s ear, and
+whispered:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Of Emolyn Wyndeworth! I have heard something of
+her fate!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Eh!</span>” cried Susan Palmer, starting and dropping her
+candlestick. She was wide awake now, with every vestige
+of weariness departed, and the longing for bed turned into
+the longing for news.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come up with me to my attic room, dear mother; there
+is a good fire burning there, and we shall be safe from interruption;
+and, oh, I have so much to tell you!” said Em.
+as she stooped and picked up the fallen candlestick and replaced
+the candle in it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em.! are you sure of what you are saying?” exclaimed
+Susan Palmer as soon as she could speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Quite sure, mother. Come,” said the girl, leading the
+way from the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>“But how on the face of the earth could <i>you</i> have heard
+anything about it?” breathlessly inquired the mother as
+she followed her daughter upstairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear mother, just wait till we get out of hearing of any
+of these rooms, and then I will tell you everything,” replied
+Em. in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where did she die? How long has she been dead?
+What was the matter with her besides a broken heart? Tell
+me that if you can,” persisted Susan Palmer as she tugged
+breathlessly up the attic stairs after her daughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mother, she is not dead!” whispered Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“EH!” cried the woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hush-sh-sh—here we are at my room. Come in, mother,
+and when I have shut the door I will tell you all about it,”
+said Em. as she entered, followed by her eager listener.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. secured the door, rolled the easy-chair up before the
+cheerful fire, made her mother sit down comfortably in it,
+drew a low stool to her side, seated herself, and prepared to
+commence her narration; but was vehemently interrupted
+by Susan’s breathless inquiries:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You say she’s not dead? Are you sure? How do you
+know? If she is not dead, where has she been all this time
+that no one has ever heard of her?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mother, dear, I do not quite know, except that she has
+been at Edengarden, and traveling. But, though living, she
+has been dead to the world, she says.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘<i>She says!</i>’ Why, for Heaven’s sake, girl, have you <i>seen</i>
+her and heard her talk, <i>yourself</i>?” exclaimed Susan in a
+transport of wonder almost as great as if she had heard
+Em. tell of seeing and hearing a spirit from Paradise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, mother, dear, how else could I have known anything
+about the lady?” said Em., who would then have delivered
+a “plain unvarnished tale” of her day’s adventures
+had not Susan’s impetuous cross-examination precluded all
+possibility of a consecutive narrative.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. was put upon the witness-stand and compelled to
+answer as she was questioned.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When did you see her? Where was she? How came
+you to meet her? How did she look? What did she say?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I met her by accident this afternoon on the island, while
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>I was looking at one of the pictures in the house. She
+looked thin and white, but young and beautiful as any angel
+for all that. She asked me my name, and when I told her
+she seemed to know all about me, and was very kind to me,
+and sent her love to you and wishes you and old Aunt Monica
+and father to come with me to see her to-morrow, if possible,
+or, if not, as soon as you can,” answered Em., pouring
+out her news as rapidly as she could to satisfy the ravenous
+demands of the inquirer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well—well—well! Wonders will never cease in this
+world. Why, this beats Mr. Ronald’s sea yarns, Em. Emolyn
+Wyndeworth alive! Emolyn Wyndeworth the Lady of
+Edengarden! So near us, and not to let me know—<i>me</i>, who
+loved her so dearly, and had good cause, for the child sold
+her very clothes to buy my children bread!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And here Susan Palmer began to cry, though she could
+not for her life have told whether it was for present joy or
+remembered sorrow. It was probably from both causes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Not to let <i>me</i> know she was living, and so near—me,
+who named my prettiest child after her!” sobbed Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, mother, she <i>has</i> let you know. She has sent you
+word by me. Remember, she has only been here for a few
+days—since the first of October.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! You didn’t tell me <i>that</i>, Em. I thought she had
+been here all the summer, as the people say she generally
+is. I wish you would tell <i>a straight story</i>, Em., and then I
+could understand things better,” said Susan Palmer as she
+wiped her eyes on her clean apron.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is just what I have been trying to do, mother; so,
+if you will let me, I will begin at the beginning and tell
+you every particular so plainly that it will be as good as if
+you had gone there with me yourself and seen and heard
+everything.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, so do, Em., and I’ll not interrupt you,” said
+Susan, settling herself comfortably back in the old easy-chair
+and stretching out her feet to the fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And, having had her first ravenous and devouring cravings
+of curiosity satisfied, the good woman kept her word,
+and sat and listened with patient attention while Em. gave
+her a careful and detailed account of her visit to the island
+and interview with the Lady of Edengarden.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>Even when Em. had finished her narrative her mother
+showed no disposition to retire. All sense of weariness and
+drowsiness seemed to have vanished. Susan Palmer appeared
+to be disposed to sit up all night before the fire in
+her daughter’s chamber, talking of Emolyn Wyndeworth.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wonder what she has been doing all these years when
+she has not been at Edengarden? Traveling all over the
+world, I do suppose, scattering blessings wherever she
+passed, I <i>know</i>; for the good of others was her only object,
+thought of self was never in her heart. I hardly think she
+ever felt she had any self until that sharp trouble of hers
+pierced her through and through, and drove her out into
+the desert places of the world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What trouble was that of hers, dear mother, can you
+tell me?” inquired Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, I can’t tell you. I think <i>she</i> will some day, as she
+has taken such a wonderful fancy to you. You say she
+wants you, Em.?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, mother, dear, she wants me to live with her as
+companion, I suppose. She must be very lonely, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Would you like to go, Em.?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, dear mother, yes, indeed, if you and father are
+willing to part with me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It would hardly be like parting with you to lend you
+to her, so near us, too! And it would help you to forget
+that young man, whom you <i>must</i> forget, Em. Well, child,
+if she wants you and you want to go to her <i>you shall go</i>; so
+that is settled. Your father would never dream of making
+any objection when anything as much for your good as that
+is in <i>every</i> respect turns up.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I was sure you would like me to go, mother.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, of course. Now I tell you what we will do. To-morrow
+morning, if no change for the worse takes place in
+poor Ann Whitlock, we will borrow old ’Sias’s boat, and me
+and your father, just us three and no more, will start for
+Edengarden. And when we get safe in the middle of the
+river, out of hearing of every one but the water-fowl, we
+will tell father all about it! And, oh, won’t he be astonished?
+But we won’t drop a word of it to him, or any one
+else, until <i>then</i>. As to old Monica, although we have the
+lady’s leave to do it, we will not say anything to her yet
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>awhile either. It would only distract her mind from the
+sick woman, who needs all her attention. What do you
+think, Em.?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear mother, I think you are quite right. Oh, let us
+be very cautious; for though I cannot imagine why that
+lovely Lady of Edengarden should wish to keep her identity
+as Emolyn Wyndeworth concealed beyond that it is from the
+memory of some great sorrow suffered in her youth—still,
+I know she made such a strong point of our keeping her
+secret when she gave me her confidence that I would not for
+all this world could offer me even seem to betray the trust!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t be afraid o’ me, Em.! I can be as secret as the
+grave,” said Susan Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The clock in the hall clanged out twelve.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I declare, it is midnight! Good-night, Em.! I must
+go to bed, though I don’t believe I shall sleep a wink this
+night with thinking of Emolyn Wyndeworth!” said the
+good woman as she lighted her candle and left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. did not go to bed, however. She drew the brands
+together to make them safe, laid a log upon them to keep
+the fire, and then blew out her candle and tripped downstairs
+to Ann Whitlock’s room, which she entered.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She found the sick woman either sleeping or unconscious,
+and old Monica sitting in the arm-chair before the fire,
+wakeful and watchful.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have come to tell you that you must lie down and
+sleep. I will take your place until daylight,” said Em.,
+leaning over the chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old Monica resisted this mandate; but Em. insisted, and
+finally the nurse compromised matters by simply lying
+down on the outside of the bed behind Ann Whitlock, where
+she soon fell fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. herself felt very drowsy, so, for fear of following old
+Monica’s example if she should sit in the old rocker over
+the fire, she drew a very <i>un</i>easy, hard, and high-backed
+chair to the side of the bed and sat down to watch her
+patient.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When feeling herself almost overcome by sleep she would
+rise and walk noiselessly up and down the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>If her patient stirred she would give her a teaspoonful
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>or more of beef tea and brandy, which the sick woman would
+swallow mechanically.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>If the fire burned low she mended it by putting on fresh
+logs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And so she passed the night in the sick-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When morning dawned she did not wake old Monica;
+but the aged are never long or heavy sleepers; so, as the
+first rays of the rising sun streamed through the open slats
+of the window shutters, the old nurse opened her eyes, sat
+bolt upright on the bed, took an instant to collect her faculties,
+and then got down and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lord bless you, honey, for dis ’freshing nap as I have
+had! Now, tell me how you bofe got along ’dout me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You bofe” being supposed to signify the young nurse
+and her patient, Em. gave Monica a full and satisfactory
+report of the night’s watch.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then the girl went up to her own room, took a refreshing
+wash in ice-cold water, and after brushing her hair and
+changing her dress she felt as wide awake as if she had
+slept instead of watching all night long.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She went down into the parlor, expecting to find some
+part of the family there in honor of their guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She found no one but Ronald Bruce, standing with his
+back to the wood fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He sprang to meet her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear Em., I have been here since daybreak, hoping
+some good spirit favorable to poor, unfortunate lovers might
+whisper in your ear and send you down to see me,” he exclaimed
+as he took both her hands and drew her towards
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But she slipped away and evaded the kiss he meant, as
+she said to him:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald, I <i>am</i> glad to speak to you alone for a moment,
+and for the last time, dear Ronald, until our meeting shall
+be sanctioned by my parents and your uncle.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Little prude! Little prig!” muttered the young man,
+half sulkily, half lovingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wanted to tell you, Ronald, that my mother and father
+both love you very dearly. Indeed, you ought to know that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Perhaps I do know it and presume on it a little.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But for all that, Ronald, for reasons that you know of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>my father intends this morning to put you upon your honor
+never to come to this house or seek my presence again until
+you can come with your uncle’s sanction.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As if my uncle had a parent’s authority over a man
+twenty-three years old!” impatiently burst forth the youth.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“However that may be, my father insists that you seek
+my hand <i>only</i> with your uncle’s sanction. And now, Ronald,
+I must be brief in what I have to say to you, for some
+one may come in at any moment. It is this, dear Ronald:
+Submit to my father’s terms patiently. He loves you as
+well as me, and he would not do anything that he did not
+believe would be for your good as well as for mine.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish to the Lord in heaven that people would mind
+their own business and leave us and our good alone!”
+vehemently exclaimed the vexed lover.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald! Ronald! How can you say such things in
+reference to father? He has a right to be obeyed by his
+own daughter and in his own house! But listen, dear Ronald,
+for this is what I wished to say to you: <i>Be patient</i>. I
+am convinced that all will soon be well.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em., my dearest, what do you mean by that? Have
+you——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But before the young man could utter another word John
+Palmer entered the room, bid his guest a cordial good-morning,
+and invited him to walk in to breakfast, which
+was waiting for them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald returned the greeting, and then openly gave Em.
+his arm and took her in to breakfast.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They no longer treated the young lieutenant as a
+stranger, so all the family were assembled around the table,
+only waiting for his entrance to take their seats.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After greetings had been exchanged they sat down.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan dispensed the tea and coffee; John the broiled venison
+steaks; and Em. the buckwheat cakes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Love had not taken away the young man’s appetite, for
+he did full justice to the food set before him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When breakfast was over he took leave of his kind hostess
+and her family, gave Em.’s hand a prolonged squeeze, and,
+attended to the yard by John Palmer, went out and
+mounted his horse and started for The Breezes, wondering
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>as he rode slowly away what Em. could have meant by her
+cheerful prophecy that all would soon be well.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXII<br> <span class='c006'>HOPE</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Hope bids me hope! In that consoling word</div>
+      <div class='line'>Is peace and comfort to my soul restored.</div>
+      <div class='line'>None without hope has loved the brightest fair.</div>
+      <div class='line'>For love can hope where reason would despair.</div>
+      <div class='line in32'><span class='sc'>Lord Lyttleton.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Did you ask that young gentleman not to visit here
+again? Did you put him on his honor not to come?” anxiously
+inquired Susan Palmer of her husband as he re-entered
+the kitchen after seeing his guest off.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well,” said honest John, hesitating and looking down,
+“to tell you the plain truth, Susan, I didn’t.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You didn’t!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No: I have been trying to tell him all yesterday and
+this morning, but he was so very kind and pleasant all the
+while that I hadn’t a chance to break in anywhere, even
+edgeways, to say he must never come back again. Well, I
+hadn’t the heart to do it—there! Why, I coud as soon have
+struck a friend in the face while he was smiling up into mine.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. went up to her father, put her arms around his neck
+and kissed him quietly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, but you know I ought to have forbidden him the
+house, though, all the same, Em.,” whispered John Palmer,
+shaking his head.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, no, no, dearest father, no! Your kind heart led
+you right,” exclaimed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know I can trust you, Em. You will not disobey me,
+my girl?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, never, never, father! I will never do anything you
+disapprove.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know it, my darling. You are safe enough.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>“That’s not the question,” snapped Susan. “It’s the
+girl’s peace and quietness I’m thinking of, and if that
+young man is to be allowed to come here whenever he
+pleases, how is she ever to forget him, I’d like to know?
+Being as things are, the sooner Em. leaves home the better.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well,” sighed John, “’twas <i>you</i>, Susan, as gave him the
+heartiest welcome last night, and now you blame me—but
+‘sich is life.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Having finished with his favorite bit of philosophy, John
+took his pipe from the mantelpiece and walked out to the
+orchard, where the negroes were gathering winter apples
+for storing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He had scarcely left the house when Dr. Willet arrived
+on his morning visit.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He tied his horse and walked into the open door of the
+passage without ceremony.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. met him as she came out of the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear, how do you do? How do you like living
+in the country? It is only a few months since you left
+town, yet I dare say now it seems to you quite a long while,”
+said the good doctor cheerfully as he shook hands with the
+girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It seems a lifetime, sir, since we lived in Laundry Lane!
+Longer even than that. It seems—that period, I mean—to
+belong to some remote state of pre-existence!” answered
+Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thought so! I thought so!” said the doctor with
+evident satisfaction. “So you don’t pine to return?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, sir, no! And yet the old lane and the poor, dear
+children who still live there!” said Em. compassionately.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, yes. Ah, here comes your mother! Well, Mrs.
+Palmer, how is our patient to-day?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, doctor, good-morning to you! She is better, I
+think. I have just come down from her bedside. She can
+move her hands and feet, but can’t turn over yet. She can
+also chew and swallow, but she can’t speak. And she seems
+to understand every word we say to her, but she can’t answer
+except by signs.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Just so, but all that is a very great improvement since
+yesterday. I will go up and see her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>“Oh, doctor, wasn’t it a Providence you being in the
+neighborhood just at this time?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It was fortunate,” said Dr. Willet as he followed Mrs.
+Palmer upstairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. took her workbasket and sat down to sew until the
+return of her mother and the physician.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After an absence of about twenty minutes they came
+down the steps, talking cheerfully, the doctor more than
+confirming the hopeful report of the nurse as to the old
+patient’s amendment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When Dr. Willet had taken a kindly leave of all the family
+and had ridden away Em. said to her mother:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t you think now that we might trust Mrs. Whitlock
+with Aunt Monica and Aunt Sally, and get father to take
+us to Edengarden, mother?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, child, yes, I was planning the very same thing
+myself! I’ll send one of the boys to fetch Sally, and you
+can throw your shawl over your head and run down and
+meet your father in the orchard and speak to him about
+taking us. And, mind, girl, be cautious! Not one word
+about the Lady of Edengarden until we three are on the
+boat alone together in the middle of the river, out of earshot
+of every human being except ourselves.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, mother, never fear me!” said Em. as she took her
+shepherd’s plaid shawl from its peg, wrapped it around
+her head and shoulders, wearing it as gracefully as ever
+Andalusian beauty wore her fascinating “rabousa,” and
+tripped out of the house on her way to the orchard.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Father, you are not very busy to-day?” she said interrogatively
+as she came up to John Palmer, standing amid
+a group of busy apple-pickers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, no, Em., not particularly. Why did you ask, my
+lass?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Because, if you can spare the time, mother and I wish
+you to take us in the row-boat down to Edengarden Island.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, there! If I have asked your mother once to go
+to Edengarden I have asked her fifty times this summer,
+and never could get her to go. No, she wouldn’t trust herself
+on the water! But now she will go! Well, ‘sich is life.’
+Of course I’ll spare the time, my dear! When do you want
+to go?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>“Now.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That’s short and sweet. Now, then, run home and get
+ready, and I will send word down to old ’Sias to have the
+boat out.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. went home as fast as she had come out, and told her
+mother to prepare for the trip.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As for Em. herself, <i>her</i> preparations were soon made;
+they consisted only in lowering her shawl to her shoulders,
+putting a little brown felt hat on her head, and drawing a
+pair of gloves on her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan only waited to receive Aunt Sally and place her in
+charge of the house, and then went with Em. out to join
+John, who, in his Sunday clothes, was waiting for them
+out of doors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The three walked briskly down the leaf-strewn road that
+led to the park gate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Long time since you and I have had an outing together,
+Susan! And this came so unexpectedly it has all the pleasure
+of a surprise as well as of a holiday,” said John gayly,
+for he seemed honestly to enjoy his “outing,” as he called
+it, in company with his wife and his favorite child.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’m sure, John, this time yesterday I had as much idea
+of going to Europe as going to Edengarden.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, and what put it into your head to-day, my dear?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—I changed my mind,” replied Susan evasively.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You did? Surely. Well, ‘sich is life.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here we are at the gate, and it is propped open. Old
+’Sias is down on the shore with a boat, I suppose, and as
+for Sereny, she’d see us stand here forever before she would
+take the trouble to open the gate. The only way in which
+<i>she</i> ever exerts herself is in whacking old ’Sias,” said
+Susan as they passed through the gate, which John carefully
+locked behind them. Then he put the key in his
+pocket, with the intention to give it to old ’Sias down on
+the shore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A rapid walk through the thick woods brought them
+down to the banks of the river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias was there, standing in the boat and looking
+out for the expected party.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer greeted him kindly, delivered the keys of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>the gate, and cautioned him against ever leaving it open
+again.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias remarked that “Jordan was a hard road to
+travel for any poor pilgrim who had duties to perform on
+the one hand, and a Sereny to perform on him on t’other.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But he resigned the command of the boat to John Palmer
+and made the best of his way to his special post of duty.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John helped Susan into the boat and seated her comfortably.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. entered, unassisted, seated herself in her accustomed
+place and took the tiller.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John laid himself to the oars and rowed swiftly from the
+shore, while Em. steered for the island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What in the name o’ sense makes you hold on to that
+stick, Em.?” inquired Susan, impatient of every motion
+she did not understand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This stick, as you call it, mother, is the rein that guides
+our water-horse down the river.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish you would talk straight sometimes, Em.!” exclaimed
+her mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The girl laughed and then explained the simple action
+of the tiller.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they had reached the middle of the river Em. said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear father, rest on your oars for a little and let us
+drift slowly down stream. We did not bring you out to-day
+for pleasure only, but to tell you a secret that we feared the
+very leaves might hear, and the birds repeat, if we told it
+on land.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Eh! What! A secret! A dangerous secret!” exclaimed
+John, pausing in his work and staring at his daughter.
+“None o’ the boys ain’t been up to doing nothing
+wrong, have they?” he continued in growing anxiety.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, dear father, nor the girls, neither,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Whatever trouble you may have to bear in this world,
+John Palmer, you may be sure of one thing—that your
+children will never bring it on you,” added Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But—what’s the matter?” inquired puzzled John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Tell him, mother,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, listen and never breathe it to a human being—Emolyn
+Wyndeworth is found!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>John instinctively opened his mouth to speak, but found
+no word to express his astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I thought she was dead and gone long, long ago,”
+he said at length.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, she was only dead to the world, and gone far out of
+the ken of all who ever knew her before,” replied Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is the Lady of Edengarden,” added Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Eh! What! The Lady of Edengarden! Then she
+must be our Lady of the Manor as well!” exclaimed John in
+growing amazement.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She <i>is</i>, and just as soon as this Manor of the Wilderness
+came into her possession through the death of her relative,
+old Mr. Elphine, don’t you see, she thought of us at once?
+Yes, and through Dr. and Mrs. Willet she managed to get
+us all out here without appearing to have anything to do
+with it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well,” said John meditatively, “I often wondered how
+such a thundering great piece of good fortune ever did
+come to us, who wa’n’t much blessed with rich friends!
+And now I know. But why should the lady wish to keep
+her existence a secret?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, John! you are a man, or you never could have
+asked that question! Do you think she could ever get over
+the cruel wrong that was done her, innocent as she was?
+Why, even the poor wounded dove goes away and hides itself
+from all eyes to die. She was wounded to the very death,
+and yet she could not die, and she would not kill herself;
+but she went away and hid herself—innocent as an angel
+though she was!” answered Susan with emotion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I’d faced it out if I’d been her!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Of course you would; but you wa’n’t her! And now,
+John Palmer, do you listen to me,” said Susan solemnly.
+“Nobody but you and me, in this neighborhood, knows anything
+about the awful affliction that drove this innocent lady
+into the wilderness. And we must be cautious! We must
+never speak of her even to each other, unless we find ourselves
+in a boat in the middle of the river, as the only place
+where we can be quite sure of not being overheard.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But—how on earth did you find all this out?” inquired
+John, scratching his head.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will tell you all about it,” said Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>And she forthwith gave him a detailed account of Em.’s
+visit to the isle, her unexpected meeting with the Lady of
+Edengarden and the ensuing interview between them, during
+which the lady had revealed herself to the girl and sent
+messages to the parents requesting the latter to visit her
+at Edengarden.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While Susan eagerly narrated and John earnestly listened
+Em. steered the boat as it floated slowly down stream.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now what do you think of that?” said Susan when she
+had finished her story.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John did not know what he thought, and so he could
+not tell her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why don’t you speak?” demanded Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John had nothing new to say, so he said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Sich is life!’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And he took up both oars and laid himself to them with
+such vigor that the boat soon cleared the intervening water
+and grounded on the sands at the landing of Edengarden
+Island.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now you two just walk up to the house. I’ll stay here
+with the boat until you come back,” said John Palmer as
+he helped his wife and daughter to land.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, John, I do think that is too queer of you! Why
+can’t you walk up with us when the lady sent you an invitation
+to come, too?” exclaimed Susan, with an injured air.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now look here, dear woman, s’pose the lady did invite
+me along of you and Em. It was just out of kindness and
+politeness to your husband and Em.’s father, not that she
+cared about seeing me. And don’t you see, if she was <i>ever</i>
+so friendly to me, as she <i>is</i>, and has shown herself to be
+bringing us all to the Wilderness manor-house, <i>still</i>, in this
+first meeting, don’t you think she’d prefer to see you <i>without</i>
+me? You’ll have such a deal of woman’s affairs to talk
+about, you know!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Father is right, mother,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, come along,” exclaimed Susan. “And
+John, you had better fasten the boat and walk up and down
+in the sunshine on the beach. If you sit there you will
+take cold.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>With this parting advice Susan followed her daughter,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>who led the way up the narrow path leading from the landing
+through the belt of silver maples, and through the
+ornamented grounds, and up terrace upon terrace, until
+they reached the middle and highest part of the island
+upon which the mansion of white stone stood.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan was loud in her expressions of admiration at the
+beauty of the place.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they reached the marble steps that led to the main
+entrance, Em. passed up quickly before her mother and
+rang the bell.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A colored boy about sixteen years old opened the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is Mrs. Lynn at home?” inquired Em., after she had
+recovered from her momentary surprise at the unexpected
+sight of a stranger.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The page took a deliberate view of the mother, and then
+inquired in his turn:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Name o’ Palmer?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Mrs. Palmer and her daughter,” answered Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My mist’ess is at home. Walk in,” said the boy, opening
+wide the door.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIII<br> <span class='c006'>EMOLYN’S WEIRD</span></h2>
+</div>
+<p class='c008'>We maun a’dree our weird.—<span class='sc'>Meg Merriles.</span></p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They entered the beautiful white hall, with its rainbow
+windows, around on which Susan Palmer stared with open-eyed
+admiration and wonder.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mrs. Palmer!” exclaimed the page, throwing wide open
+a door leading into an elegant little parlor on the right-hand
+side of the hall, opposite the grand saloon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A lady dressed in gray rose from a sofa and advanced
+to meet the visitors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Miss Emolyn!” exclaimed Mrs. Palmer, so overcome
+with emotion at the very sight of the lady that she
+sank down at once into the arm-chair which Em. quick
+as thought wheeled to her side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>Meantime Mrs. Lynn took the girl by the hand and kissed
+her before turning attention to Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Miss Emolyn! That I should live to see you again!
+Thank Heaven! Oh, thank Heaven! And you are not
+changed so much! Oh, no, indeed!” exclaimed Susan
+Palmer in almost hysterical excitement.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nor are you changed much in all these years, dear old
+friend, or, indeed, changed at all, except for the better!
+You are plumper and rosier than you used to be, Mrs.
+Palmer,” said Emolyn, as she stood by her chair, took her
+hand and kissed her gently.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is the good living, my dear young lady. It is the
+pure air and fresh water and abundant food. It is the
+good living that has given us all new life, which we owe
+to your sweet, kind heart, Miss Emolyn!” said Susan
+Palmer, weeping for joy while she covered the hands of her
+benefactress with kisses.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It makes me so happy to see you so well and prosperous,”
+said the lady, as she gently withdrew her hands
+from Susan’s clasps and kisses, and seated herself in the
+nearest chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em. has told me all you told her, but, oh, my dear
+young lady——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am not a young lady any longer, Susan,” said Emolyn,
+smiling sadly. “I am thirty-two and a half years old.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That don’t seem possible, to look at you, Miss Emolyn,
+yet it must be so. You must be thirty-two, for you were
+sixteen when I saw you last, and that was nearly seventeen
+years ago! La! Em. was a baby then, and now she’s a
+young woman. And, Miss Emolyn, do you know we all
+think Em. the very print of you, as why wouldn’t she be
+when for months and months before she was born I did
+nothing but think of you and your troubles in your tyrant’s
+house, my poor, dear young lady, and your image was never
+out of my mind. But, oh, my dear child, where have you
+been all these years when we thought you in heaven?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Susan Palmer, it is a long story! When I left the
+city after passing through that ordeal of fire and water, my
+guardian, dear Uncle Lewis Berners, took me to Dranesville
+for a few days. Then, when Pony came out to me, he
+wished to take us home with him to Virginia; but I could
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>not bear to go. So he took me to Europe. But lay off your
+bonnet and shawl, dear old friend, for if I tell you all you
+wish to know, it will be some time before I get through.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am very much obleeged to you, Miss Emolyn, but I
+left my old man down in the boat, so it ain’t worth while
+to take off my things.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, why did he not come up?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, honey, he thought we’d like to have a little talk
+by ourselves first.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And he was right, ma’am, wasn’t he? And, mother,
+don’t be troubled. Father’ll fasten the boat and take a
+walk around the island, where he will see enough to interest
+him for hours yet,” said Em., as she took off her own hat
+and shawl and went up to Mrs. Palmer to take hers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now do you see the cool manner in which that girl
+takes her own way?” said Susan, as she gave Em. her
+bonnet and wraps.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Give them to the boy in the hall, my dear; he will put
+them away for you. And now, Susan Palmer, be easy
+until lunch time, which is not far off, and then I will send
+your daughter to fetch her father, and by the time he comes
+we will have got through all our confidential talk.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear young lady—for I shall call you my
+young lady until I see some signs of middle age come over
+you—my dear young lady, have your own way! You can
+do just as you please with me! And why not, seeing how
+heavenly good you have been to me! I’ll stay, ma’am, and
+very glad to stay, I don’t deny it,” said Susan with a sigh
+of satisfaction as she sank back comfortably in the most
+luxurious arm-chair she had ever sat in during her life.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Draw your chair near me, little namesake, so that I can
+hold your hand in mine while I talk,” said Emolyn, as she
+turned a glance full of tenderness on Em.’s sympathetic
+face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young girl did as she was requested, and then, with
+Em.’s hand clasped closely in hers upon her lap, Emolyn
+began the story of her exile.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I say, after I had passed through that fiery trial my
+guardian took me out of the city secretly and hid me at
+Dranesville, an obscure hamlet, where I remained in my
+room at the quiet little hotel, unknown, until the arrival
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>of Pony with my trunk. Then my guardian wished to take
+me home with him to Blackville. But I could not bear the
+thought of remaining in my native country, or seeing any
+one whom I had ever known before.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t wonder, my dear! I don’t wonder, indeed!”
+sighed Susan Palmer, half weeping.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My guardian was very tolerant of my weakness—very
+tender of my suffering. He had retired from the practice
+of law, and having no family but his aged sisters, he found
+it easy to go abroad. So after a little delay necessary to the
+arrangement of his affairs he took me to New York and
+thence to Liverpool. We were attended only by my nurse,
+Pony, and his man-servant, Prince, who, coming from
+Blackville, knew nothing of the ordeal through which I had
+just passed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here Emolyn’s glance falling on the upturned face of
+Em., she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are looking at me with eyes full of wonder and
+pity, my child! Well, let it be so for awhile. You are too
+young even to <i>hear</i> the horrors through which I <i>had to pass</i>
+when I was younger than you are now. Yet I feel sure,
+Em., that some day I shall tell you all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A convulsive clasp of her hand by the girl’s fingers was
+her only answer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady resumed her story.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It was near the last of July when we landed in Liverpool.
+It was perhaps the very best season in which to see
+England. Better even than the spring, for midsummer is
+never intolerably hot and dry there as it is here. Well, we
+spent two months in traveling through England, Wales,
+Scotland and Ireland. In the latter part of September we
+went to France, where we also spent two months in traveling.
+We did not stop in the cities nor enter any society.
+Early in December we went to Italy, spent six weeks in
+traveling through that loveliest of lands, and then we settled
+down in Rome for the winter.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! Oh! And did you see the Pope? And does he
+really wear three crowns on his head, one upon top of the
+other?” eagerly interrupted Susan Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I did not see the Pope. We never tried to see anybody.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>But I saw the Vatican—the palace where he lives, and I
+also saw many grand cathedrals and palaces.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here again Susan Palmer interrupted the narrator with
+a number of questions that compelled Emolyn to describe
+the Vatican, the other palaces, cathedrals and churches at
+some length.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In the spring, just before Lent, we saw the carnival
+in Rome.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes! I have heard mention made about that. It is
+something like a circus and a panorama and a procession,
+isn’t it?” inquired Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Like all of them together, with a great many other
+spectacles, all on a tremendous scale.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, please tell me all about it,” exclaimed Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So Mrs. Lynn had to recall and describe all the grotesque
+and gorgeous phantasmagoria of the carnival at Rome before
+her hearer could be satisfied.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear, dear me, what it is to be a traveler!” said Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As the month of May approached I became very nervous
+and filled with a horrible despair that threatened my reason.
+You know it was the anniversary of my great agony, Mrs.
+Palmer. Why, even after all these years I cannot pass it
+calmly. And <i>that</i> was the first anniversary.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know, and I do not wonder at anything, my dear child,
+except that you were ever able to live over it at all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My guardian was very good to me; may Heaven bless
+him! He took me to Venice, the most beautiful and wonderful
+city in the world, where there are canals instead of
+streets and gondolas instead of carriages.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lord bless my soul, Miss Emolyn, how was that?” cried
+Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn explained as briefly as she could the building of
+Venice upon its cluster of small islands, and then continued:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We left Italy about the first of June. We spent the
+summer in traveling through Russia, Germany, Sweden,
+Norway and the Shetland and Orkney Islands. On the
+first of September we took a steamer from Glasgow to
+Constantinople——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Constantinople!” eagerly interrupted Susan. “Constantinople!
+Oh, my goodness gracious me alive! That’s
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>better than the city of the Pope, or the city built on the
+sea, either! It is the city of the Grand Turk! Did you
+see the Grand Turk? And does he always sit cross-legged
+on a gold-fringed rug, with a long shawl rolled around his
+head for a turban, and smoking a long pipe, with a golden
+bowl and a room full of beautiful girls dancing before
+him? And has he really a thousand wives?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t know. I did not see him, but I think it quite
+likely,” said Emolyn, with a slight smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Think of <i>that</i> now! The pagan Turk to have a thousand
+wives, more or less, and the Pope—the poor Pope—to
+have not one. The laws ought to be changed! But tell
+me what you did see in the city of the Grand Turk.
+Though it do seem to me, my dear, that in all your travels
+you saw nothing but places and things, not people.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I did not want to see people,” sighed Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, I know. How thoughtless I am. Go on, my dear
+young lady.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn described Constantinople, with its splendid seraglio,
+its magnificent mosques, its squalid streets and mean
+dwellings.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Seems to me there’s as much dif’rence between the rich
+and the poor in pagan cities as there be in Christian
+towns.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Just as much,” said Emolyn with a sigh; and then she
+continued—“From Turkey we went to Greece and to the
+Ionian Islands, where we spent the second winter of our
+travels. In the spring we returned to the United States
+because I had come of age and it was necessary for certain
+legal forms to be observed by my guardian in turning over
+my estates to me. We reached New York about the middle
+of May, and went down to Wynde Slopes in Maryland.
+But, oh, my dear friend, I was scarcely put in possession
+of my property before I lost my beloved guardian and last
+remaining friend. He passed away at Wynde Slopes after
+a short and painless illness, and it is my comfort to think
+he entered at once into his eternal rest. You know, by the
+terms of my father’s will, I was to be considered of age at
+eighteen. I was but a few weeks over that age when my
+dear guardian left me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Miss Emolyn! He was a good man. I heard from
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>Pony of all his devotion to you while you were in your
+trouble. Do go on, Miss Emolyn, and excuse my interrupting
+of you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear Susan, what I have to tell you now cannot
+be dwelt upon in detail. I sold Wynde Slopes, for I could
+not bear that my name, all blurred as it was with falsehood
+and wrong, should remain connected with my father’s old
+ancestral home.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But however came you to find out about this beautiful
+island, honey?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn smiled.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It was not a beautiful island when I found it, Susan;
+but the way was this: In my restlessness I was a rambler.
+I had besides a feeling of affectionate curiosity to see the
+old Wilderness manor-house, in which my mother had been
+born and been brought up. I came to Greyrock, accompanied
+by Pony, and rode over to the Wilderness. I saw
+the house. It had long been vacant, the master being then
+in Europe. I did not divulge my name to the old servants,
+nor my relationship to their master; yet, with the courtesy
+they always show to strangers, they took me all over the
+premises, showed me all I wished to see, told me all I wished
+to hear. I returned to Greyrock that night. I had intended
+to leave the place early the next morning; but both
+in going to and coming from the Wilderness I had taken
+the river road, and seen from its banks the desolate, rocky
+island. It took my fancy and haunted me even after I
+had gone home to Greyrock and gone to bed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And so you thought you would like to make that desert
+bloom and blossom as the rose, Miss Emolyn?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Susan; and I thought I would like to make a home
+there, where I and Pony could come and rest sometimes,
+‘the world forgetting, by the world forgot.’ In a word, before
+I left the neighborhood I had purchased the barren
+island for a mere trifle, but all that it was worth at the
+time. It would never have paid as a plantation, Susan;
+but it was well adapted to the metamorphosis I made of it,
+by the three potent genii—Labor, Time and Money. Fifteen
+years ago it was a barren rock. You see what it is
+now.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is a paradise now,” said Susan with enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>“Yet a paradise that could not hold my restless spirit
+long. After spending one year here I left it in careful
+hands and resumed my travels, this second time accompanied
+only by Pony and such stranger guides and couriers
+as I could pick up <i>en route</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn here paused so long that Susan Palmer inquired:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And where did you go, Miss Emolyn? Seems to me as
+you had seen all the world before.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Not a hundredth part of it, Susan. But I did not go
+over the same ground. I sailed for Glasgow and then,
+without even landing, took ship for Christiana, Norway,
+and traveled over the extreme northern part of Europe,
+dwelling in the huts of the Lapps and Finns and making
+reindeer journeys from place to place. I saw the midnight
+sun.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>The midnight sun, Miss Emolyn!</span>” exclaimed Susan
+in open-mouthed amazement.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Susan—it is a sublime and wonderful sight in
+those regions of eternal snow.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oome, I feared the poor lady was just a little demented,
+and now I know it,” thought Susan mournfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I passed through Russia and into Siberia, a voluntary
+exile. I spent a long summer on those savage steppes——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Steps!” muttered Susan to herself with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And then I moved southward without stopping until we
+reached Alexandria, in Egypt.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Alexandria, in Egypt!’ Ah, dear, dear, how her mind
+wanders. Everybody knows Alexandria is in old Virginy,”
+moaned Susan to herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am fatiguing you,” said Mrs. Lynn, perceiving her
+companion’s uneasiness. “I must be brief, Susan, and tell
+you in a few words that since that time, with the exception
+of an occasional summer of rest on the island here, I have
+spent all my days in travel. I have been all over the civilized
+and uncivilized world. I have been where few men
+and no women have ever gone before me—from Greenland
+to Terra del Fuego; from Behring Straits to Bermuda
+Isles on this hemisphere; from Cape North to Cape Colony,
+and from the coast of Guinea to the Sea of Kamtschatka on
+the other.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>“What a life!” exclaimed Susan with a great sigh. “But
+of all the countries and the people that you saw, which did
+you like the best, Miss Emolyn?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You will be surprised when you hear—I liked best to
+dwell among the Lapps and Finns!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan was not surprised, for she had got so “mixed in
+her mind,” as she said, that she really did not know but that
+the Lapps and Finns were the most enlightened of European
+people instead of being northern barbarians.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have been to this island more regularly to spend the
+summers for the last few years until this year, when business
+connected with my inheritance of the Wilderness
+Manor detained me elsewhere until the first of October.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And to think, Miss Emolyn, that the very first thing
+you did after entering upon that inheritance was to think
+of us in our poverty, that poor, squalid Laundry Lane, and
+to bring us to this beautiful, wholesome country,” said
+Susan Palmer gratefully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is true that my very first thought <i>was</i> of you,” admitted
+Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At that moment a distant clock chimed out musically the
+hour of noon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, my little namesake, go find your father and bring
+him to the house to lunch with us,” said the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. immediately arose and left the room to do this
+errand. She went into the hall, where she found her hat
+and shawl hung on an artistic tree carved out of malachite.
+She put them on hastily, and ran out to seek her father,
+whom she expected to find near the boat-landing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meantime the two women, left alone together, looked
+into each other’s faces as if each expected a confidence from
+the other.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan was the first to speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, Miss Emolyn, that she is gone and we are by ourselves,
+tell me why you have never been able to get over your
+trouble during all these long years?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn shuddered and covered her eyes with her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I have hurt you, Miss Emolyn. I am so sorry.
+I beg you to forgive me. I ought not to have asked you a
+question. But, dear Miss Emolyn, still you ought not to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>take that old sorrow so much to heart, innocent as I know
+you to be.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Susan, Susan! No one could ever entirely recover
+from such a blasting affliction as mine was!” cried the unhappy
+lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Not even when you know you was innocent, Miss
+Emolyn?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No—not even then! But, Susan, there is the horror of
+it. I do not know that I am innocent!” exclaimed Emolyn,
+with a low moan of anguish.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, my dear young lady, what<i>ever</i> do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Susan, Susan! After all I may have—<i>hurt my
+child</i>!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Miss Emolyn, you never, never did! I would stake
+<i>my soul</i> that you never did. (This is an awful symptom of
+derangement.) You never did, Miss Emolyn. You have
+thought about it so much that you have got heartsick and
+brainsick, and ready to accuse yourself. Don’t think about
+it any more, Miss Emolyn. You were right to travel, after
+all. Oh, pray don’t let your thoughts dwell upon it any
+longer, Miss Emolyn. Put it out of your mind!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, Susan, I cannot. It is a haunting horror. I
+could—I think I could get over even the diabolical memory
+of my trial if only I were quite sure I never harmed my
+child. But oh, Susan—on that awful night when she was
+born there were hours of agony, followed by hours of unconsciousness!
+There may have been between the agony
+and the unconsciousness moments of delirium in which I
+might have harmed my innocent, helpless child! I do not
+remember. But then, you know, Susan, that people recovering
+from delirium never know or recollect what passed
+during the fit. <i>I might have killed my own child!</i> Oh,
+Heaven! Oh, Heaven! What a haunting horror that
+thought is to all my days and nights!” moaned the miserable
+woman, swaying herself back and forth and covering
+her face with her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Miss Emolyn, my child, be comforted! You are clear
+of that sin! As sure as I am a living woman you have
+only brooded and brooded over this until you have got
+almost insane! Now think of this, Miss Emolyn! When
+you were first accused your mind was clear enough on the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>subject. You knew then that you had never hurt your child,
+and you affirmed it most positive and distinct to every one;
+and everybody believed you, too! Now this crazy notion of
+yours has only come of brooding over it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Susan, is that possible?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, yes, ma’am! I have heard of such cases often
+and often! You aught to speak to a physician, Miss
+Emolyn. Here’s Dr. Willet quite convenient. Did you
+know he was in the neighborhood, Miss Emolyn?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I knew he was there. He has been to see me on
+this island.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, honey, speak to him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Perhaps. But, oh, Susan, who can ‘minister to a mind
+diseased?’ And, Susan,” she continued, sinking her voice
+to a whisper, “if <i>I</i> did not harm my child, <i>who did</i>? The
+child was strangled, Susan! <i>Who did it?</i>”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, dear knows, Miss Emolyn, honey!” sighed the
+woman. “You must pray!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I ‘must pray.’ Perhaps some late remorse—some deathbed
+confession—may bring out the truth and give me
+peace!”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIV<br> <span class='c006'>A GOOD FAIRY</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>A smile of hers is like an act of grace;</div>
+      <div class='line'>For when she smiles, a light is on her face,</div>
+      <div class='line'>A clear, cool kindliness, a lunar beam</div>
+      <div class='line'>Of peaceful radiance, silvering o’er the stream</div>
+      <div class='line'>Of human thought with an abiding glory,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Not quite a waking truth, nor quite a dream—</div>
+      <div class='line'>A visitation bright and transitory.</div>
+      <div class='line in36'><span class='sc'>H. Coleridge.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>The conversation between the Lady of Edengarden and
+her visitor continued until the return of Em., conducting
+her father.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is my husband, madam. John, this is our Lady
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>of the Manor,” said Susan Palmer, presenting the new arrival
+to her hostess.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am very glad to see you, Mr. Palmer. I remember
+you quite well. You are not at all changed, except for the
+better. You are stouter and—taller, I almost think,” said
+Emolyn, holding out her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am stronger, madam, and more erect, thanks to the
+mountain air and your bounty,” said John, as he respectfully
+received and bowed over the little hand held out to
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. placed a chair for her father, and as he sat down
+upon it she took his hat from his hands and carried it out
+to the tree in the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At the same moment Emolyn touched a bell that brought
+her page to her presence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Order luncheon to be served at once,” she said.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young Mercury flew on his errand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn filled up the short interval by talking to her
+visitor about the old Wilderness manor-house and its historical
+associations.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And then the boy returned and announced the repast
+in readiness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, friends,” said Emolyn, drawing the arm of her
+young namesake within her own and leading the way, followed
+by John and Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady conducted her guests through a suite of sumptuous
+rooms, each succeeding one seeming more splendid than
+the other, until at length they reached a small but elegant
+dining-room, in the midst of which stood the lunch-table,
+laid for four, covered with the finest white damask, furnished
+with Sèvres china, Bohemian glass and silver, and
+provided with substantial fare, as well as with delicate
+viands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady of the house made Em. sit on her right hand,
+on one side of the oval table, while John and Susan sat
+opposite on the other side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young page waited on the party.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The unaffected kindness and simplicity of Emolyn’s manner
+put her visitors quite at their ease, so that perhaps
+never was a repast more enjoyed than was this lunch by
+John and Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>As for Em., girl-like, she keenly appreciated dainty items
+in the feast—the potted meats and fish, the West India
+preserves and fruits and the French confections and chocolate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the collation was over Emolyn led her friends
+back to the parlor, and calling her little page to her, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I want you to tell Pony to come here and see an old
+acquaintance.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The boy left the room, and the party in the parlor had
+scarcely settled into their seats when the door opened and
+a tall, stout, handsome mulatto woman, becomingly dressed
+in a scarlet French calico, with a black silk apron, white
+collar and cuffs, white turban and large gold hoop earrings,
+entered.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, Pony! Oh, Pony, I am <i>so</i> delighted to see you!”
+gushed Susan, starting up and holding out her hand to the
+newcomer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So is I, you, Mrs. Palmer! ’Pon my word, how well
+you does look, to be sure!” exclaimed the woman, heartily
+shaking the offered hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is that young gal your darter?” she then inquired,
+turning her bright black eyes on the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes—that’s Em.! named after your mistress, Pony.
+Come here, Em. and get acquainted with the best friend
+I ever had in the world except Miss Wyndeworth,” continued
+Susan, beckoning to her daughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. came up and offered her hand, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have heard about you all my life, Aunt Melpomene,
+and you look just as I supposed you would. I never did
+hope to have the pleasure of seeing you face to face; but,
+oh, I am so glad to meet you now!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So am I you, miss. But, law—did anybody <i>ever</i> see
+such a likeness in this world?” exclaimed, the woman,
+almost staring the girl out of countenance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As between this lady and myself?” she replied, with a
+blush and smile of embarrassment. “Oh, yes, I have heard
+it commented upon by so many people—all, I think, whoever
+chanced to see us both.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes,” added Susan, laughing, “and I have expounded
+and explained how it was until I am tired. Why, Pony,
+woman, why shouldn’t my child be the very image of your
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>young mistress when I had her face in my mind for months
+before this child arrived.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, it’s made her mighty pretty, and that’s the solemn
+truth,” said the woman gravely. “But I’ll tell you what,
+Miss Em., beauty is a great snare to the young, and unless
+it is supported by Christian grace, my honey, it is likely
+to fetch more misery than happiness.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Sich is life,’” said John sententiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I declare I forgot—Pony, you remember my husband,
+don’t you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Who—Mr. Palmer? Why, to be sure I do! I hope I
+find you well, sir! But my, how stout and portable you
+have got to be, sir!” exclaimed Pony, turning her attention
+now to the overseer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am sure I can return the compliment,” said John,
+laughing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, you see, sir, we colored female women folks, when
+we keeps in good health, and is in peace with the Lord and
+the neighbor, is most in general ’clined to wax fat as we
+grow old,” replied Pony, showing all her teeth.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Sich is life,’” said John solemnly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed, and that is very true, sir, if we could only live
+up to it,” remarked Pony.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>You</i> have seen a great deal of the world since <i>I</i> saw <i>you</i>,
+Pony,” put in Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I b’lieve you, ma’am! Me and my mist’ess ’mind me
+more of ole Satan in Job than anything else in de world—a
+‘walking up and down in the earth and going to and fro
+in it.’ Yes, ma’am, me and mist’ess has been all over the
+universe, from Dansheba to de Debbil’s Icy Peek!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She means that I have been the tormenting Satan and
+she has been the patient Job,” explained Mrs. Lynn with a
+smile, adding: “Now, Pony, we will detain you no longer
+from your lunch.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The woman took a laughing leave of her old friends and
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then Emolyn turned to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, and addressing
+both, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, my dear old friends, I wish to make a proposal
+to you that I earnestly hope may meet your views. I have
+a pleasant home here—very pleasant and healthy at all
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>seasons of the year—but I am very lonely. I want a young
+and agreeable companion to share my solitude, and for such
+a one I should try to provide a happy home and instructive
+and profitable occupation and amusement. Your sweet girl
+here suits me precisely. If only I can make myself and
+home as attractive to her as she is to me, and if I can gain
+your approval, I wish to receive my young namesake in
+my house, on the footing of a daughter, a younger sister,
+pupil, companion—anything you wish, and on any terms
+you may please to suggest.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You know, my dear Miss Emolyn, as far as I am concerned,
+you are heartily welcome to Em.’s company on your
+own terms. It is not for us to dictate to you,” said Susan
+Palmer cordially.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn, smiling, replied:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You shall never have cause to regret the confidence you
+repose in me, Mrs. Palmer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I know that, Miss Emolyn. I know that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer as yet had said nothing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em., watching her father, felt a growing uneasiness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn came to the rescue by turning and inquiring of
+the silent man:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What do <i>you</i> think, Mr. Palmer?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think, my dear lady, that we are all of us under very
+deep obligations to you; more, indeed, than we can ever
+hope to repay. As to our girl, I feel that you wish to take
+her quite as much for her own sake as for yours. But,
+madam, this is sudden, and under your favor, I think we all
+of us—your honored self as well as the rest—had better
+take a day or two to reflect before deciding,” replied John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well. How long will you want to reflect on this,
+Mr. Palmer?” inquired Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>(“Oh, the old aggravating, cud-chewing cow! He’ll
+diddle Em. out of her good fortune yet with his reflection,”
+thought Susan Palmer to herself, feeling more impatience
+at her patient husband than she had ever felt before.)</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John thought a moment before answering the lady’s
+question, and then lifting his head, he inquired:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Will to-morrow evening suit you, madam, to receive
+our decision?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>“Thanks, yes, quite well, and I trust it will be a favorable
+one.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I hope, my dear lady, that you know we are all very
+sensible of your great kindness to us,” said John, rising
+from his seat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, say no more about that, my good friend,” replied
+Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thank you, madam. We will think the more then
+if we speak the less. And now, my dear lady, we must say
+good-by, and be getting back to the manor-house,” said
+John respectfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Must you, indeed? I had hoped to detain you all day.
+I do not like to part with this dear child, who, I feel sure,
+reciprocates my affection,” said Emolyn warmly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em., who was sitting by her side, impulsively raised the
+lady’s hand and pressed it warmly to her lips as in confirmation
+of the words.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, why can you not stay till evening? There is no
+moon, to be sure, but then the clear starlight nights are
+very brilliant, and the river is as smooth as a mirror,”
+pleaded Emolyn, with more earnestness than the occasion
+seemed to warrant, as she clasped and held Em.’s hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, you see, ma’am, we left a very sick woman in our
+house, Ann Whitlock, who has been with us so long that
+she seems like a relation,” Susan explained.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ann Whitlock?” inquired Emolyn musingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, my dear young lady, she was the sick-nurse that
+was with your uncle in his latter days, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, to be sure!” said Emolyn thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And after that she was nurse in the same hospital where
+I was a patient. And she saved little Em.’s life, as I explained
+to you once, ma’am.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, I remember,” sighed Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And since then me and John have felt she had a claim
+on us, and we have taken care of her in her old days.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That was very sweet of you, Susan Palmer! And she
+is sick now, you say?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, ma’am, very much so. She had a paralytic stroke
+yesterday while Em. was here. To be sure, she has rallied
+a little, and the doctor thinks there’s no present danger of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>death. Still, nobody can tell. So you see, ma’am, we must
+not leave her all day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I see,” said the lady thoughtfully. And she touched
+the bell that brought her young page to her presence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She gave him an order in a low voice, and he left the
+room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em., get our things,” said Susan Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The girl went and brought them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While Em. and her mother were putting on their shawls
+and hats the page returned, bringing a hamper of wine,
+which he set down on the carpet before his mistress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Susan Palmer,” said the lady, “when my uncle was
+paralyzed the doctor ordered him to drink champagne as
+freely as water. You know it kept him alive for many
+months, if it could not cure him. Take this to your invalid
+and give it to her freely. When it is nearly gone let me
+know and I will send another hamper.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Miss Emolyn, how thankful I am! And how grateful
+poor Ann Whitlock will be! Heaven bless you, my
+dear! How like you this is!” exclaimed Susan fervently.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The boy will take it down to the boat for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Much obliged, my dear lady, but I am a deal better able
+to carry it than the boy, and with your good leave I will do
+it,” said John.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As you please, Mr. Palmer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-by, my dear Miss Emolyn. May you be very
+happy for all the rest of your life! Oh, for years and years
+after we lost sight of you my prayers went up day and night
+that I might see you once more before I died until at last
+we all gave you up for dead; then I stopped praying for
+you. But now, Miss Emolyn, that I have the joy of seeing
+you again, I shall pray day and night to the Lord to bless
+you and to make you happy!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes. Pray for me, dear good woman. Oh, how I need
+your prayers!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-by, dear lady. I feel that you will be happy some
+of these days. Unhappiness cannot last forever in any
+one experience. There must be change. ‘Sich is life,’”
+said John, as he shook hands with his gracious hostess.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. approached also to take leave; but the lady drew
+the girl to her bosom and kissed her fondly, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>“You must persuade your parents to let you come to me,
+my darling. Strange how near you feel to me; but perhaps
+that is my own egotism because you bear my name and
+some striking resemblance to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I shall be sure to come back to you, dear lady. I never
+broke a promise in my life, and I promise to come back to
+you,” whispered Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I shall rest on that promise. Now go; your parents
+are waiting for you,” said Emolyn, as she pressed a kiss
+upon the girl’s brow and so dismissed her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. followed her father and mother as they left the
+house, John carrying the hamper of wine.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t see why you could not have given Miss Emolyn
+her answer about Em. at once. You needn’t have put on
+airs with that lady, John, talking about taking time for reflection
+and all that—when you know very well that you
+intend to let her go,” said Susan, as the three walked
+rapidly toward the boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed, then, Susan, I am not sure that I shall let her
+go at all!” said John very gravely.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Oh, father!</i>” exclaimed Em. in a voice of despair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think is most likely I shall do so, though, my dear.
+So don’t be troubled. I think I shall let you go; but there
+is nothing certain in this world; and I must have some
+conversation with your mother first.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They walked so rapidly that they soon reached the landing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer hastened to place his wife and daughter in
+their seats and then to unmoor the boat and push it from
+the shore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. took the tiller and steered for the Wilderness landing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John laid himself vigorously to both oars, and they sped
+swiftly on their way home.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan talked incessantly on the way up the river, and the
+burden of her conversation was “Miss Emolyn Wyndeworth”
+and her strange and tragic story.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The people about here call her Mrs. Lynn! That’s
+<i>their</i> mistake, not Miss Emolyn’s doings. But I always <i>did</i>
+call her Miss Emolyn, and I suppose I shall to the end of
+my days,” she said, among countless other observations.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>John said but little in response and Em. nothing. She
+was absorbed in her own reflections.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The sun was low when they reached the Wilderness landing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It has taken us the whole day, after all; but Lord
+knows, we needn’t regret it, after what we have seen,” said
+John Palmer, as he drew in his oars, laid one down in the
+bottom of the boat, and using the other as a pole, pushed
+it up on the sands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, indeed, we needn’t regret our visit if only we find
+our poor, old, sick woman hasn’t suffered through our
+going,” added Susan, as she climbed upon the shore, followed
+by Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Leaving the father to secure the boat, the mother and
+daughter walked rapidly up the weed-grown, leaf-strewn
+path that led through the autumn woods to the park gate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here they were met by old ’Sias, whom they found standing,
+leaning over the bars, talking to his sister Sally.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dr. Willy waitin’ for you up to de house, honey, and I
+jes’ run down here to de gate to see if you was coming,”
+said Sally, while ’Sias opened the gate to admit them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dr. Willet here again! Is Ann Whitlock worse?” inquired
+Susan in alarm, as she entered the park.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Laws, no, honey; it is only his goodness to come ag’in.
+He’s a nice, quiet ge’man, honey, as ever I see in my life.
+I warrant you now he never does nuffin to nobody,” said
+Sally.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And jes’ as ’tentive to ole Miss Whitlock’s if she was
+a p’incess in her own palace, ’stead o’ being of a poor ’pendent
+hanging on to you. I ’clare I never see nuffin like it
+in all de days of my life, and dat’s a hundred and fifty
+years, more or less, honey, more or less,” solemnly exclaimed
+the old gatekeeper.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now go away from here, Jose<i>phi</i>as Elphine! Hundred
+and fifty years, indeed! We is twin sisters, you and me;
+and I know I ain’t no hundred and fifty year old, neither
+more <i>nor</i> less, I tell you all good,” indignantly protested
+Sally.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, mother, let us go on to the house,” said Em.,
+anxious to see her patient.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t run away, honey,” exclaimed Sally, mistaking the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>young girl’s motives. “Don’t be feared of me. I don’t
+mean no harm. I never does nuffin to nobody, honey, only
+I <i>must</i> chas<i>tise</i> ’Sias for his braggin’ lies.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come along with us, Aunt Sally, I want you,” said
+Susan, as she followed Em., who was walking rapidly up
+the grass-grown drive toward the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The three were soon overtaken by the long strides of
+John Palmer, who came up with the hamper of champagne
+on his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At the house-door they were met by Dr. Willet, who
+cordially shook hands with John and Susan and patted
+Em. on the head in a fatherly fashion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think the old woman is doing very well under the
+circumstances,” he said in answer to Susan’s inquiry.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then Mrs. Palmer spoke of the timely present of wine,
+made by the Lady of Edengarden, and asked the doctor if
+it might be freely given to the patient.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed, yes, it is what I should have ordered if I had
+dreamed of its being attainable here,” he replied.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And then, resisting all kind invitations to re-enter the
+house, he mounted his horse, that stood waiting, bowed
+adieux and rode away.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John carried his hamper of wine into the kitchen, followed
+by Susan and Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He put it down on the floor, opened it and drew out a
+bottle.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here, Susan,” he said, “take this right up to the old
+woman and give her a drink at once.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, Em.,” said the good mother, hurrying from the
+room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They found Mrs. Whitlock conscious, though unable to
+speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They gave her a large goblet full of the sparkling wine,
+Em. holding her up while Susan placed the glass at her
+lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then they proceeded to arrange her bed and room and
+to mend the fire, and make all comfortable.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was not until all the family had retired to bed, with
+the exception of the parents, that John and Susan discussed
+the subject of Em.’s removal to Edengarden.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now you have a chance, John, I want you to tell me
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>why you stood shilly-shallying and hem-hawing about letting
+Em. go to that lady?” said Susan, as they drew their
+chairs in to the fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, you see, Susan, I like that lady, and pity her,
+and thank her, all in one; and I would do a great deal for
+her—anything for her, but send our daughter to live with
+her unless—unless—Susan—well, unless you can insure me
+that she was as innocent as our girl herself of all the wrong-doing——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Poor John had meant to put his question as delicately,
+as mildly and as gently as he could possibly do; yet Susan
+flew at him before he could complete his sentence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“John Palmer, what <i>do</i> you mean? Have you clean
+taken leave of your senses? But men are <i>such</i> fools!
+Innocent? Miss Emolyn innocent? Oh, there is not a
+single speck on her soul’s white garments, man!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now don’t get excited, Susan, my dear. If you feel
+sure she was innocent, then we will let her have our girl.
+That was all I wanted to know,” said John deprecatingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know that she is as pure as an angel! I would stake
+my salvation on her purity! And besides, John Palmer,
+didn’t you hear me yourself say, over and over again, how
+anxious I was to have Em. go? <i>Yes, you did.</i> And now
+do you dare to suppose that I, her mother, would be less
+careful of my daughter than you, who are nothing but just
+her father? I <i>am</i> astonished at you, John Palmer! But,
+as I said before, men <i>are</i> such fools we can hardly hold ’em
+to ’count for what they say and do, so women must be patient
+with ’em,” said Susan, rising to cover up the fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nobody but my wife never called me a fool; but ‘sich is
+life,’” sighed John Palmer, as he relieved Susan of the
+shovel and covered up the fire himself.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXV<br> <span class='c006'>EM.’S NEW HOME</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Oh, brightly is bedeck’d your bower, and gorgeously your halls;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Here treads the foot on springing buds, and there on velvet falls:</div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>The massive curtains’ graceful flow, the vase, the painting warm;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Those household echoes, mirrors bright, revealing the fair form;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Exotics that perfume the air with odors sweet and strange,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And shells that far in foreign climes mid ocean wonders range,</div>
+      <div class='line'>With countless gifts of taste and art, in classic beauty rife,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Are laid upon your household shrine, and grace your daily life.</div>
+      <div class='line in46'><span class='sc'>Gilman.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Tired as she was with her unusual exertions, before she
+slept that night Susan Palmer ran up the attic stairs to
+her daughter’s chamber to communicate the good news that
+was to make Em. so happy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The door was closed, but not locked, so she opened it
+and walked in.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She found that Em. had gone to bed but not to sleep.
+She immediately sat down beside the bed, and in answer
+to the girl’s eager, questioning eyes, she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, my dear, your father has given his consent for
+you to go.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. started and threw her arms around her mother’s
+neck, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how glad I am! It was you, dear, I know it was,
+who got him to consent at last. But oh, dear mother, you
+will not think I love you any the less because I want to go
+to that desolate Lady of Edengarden, <i>will</i> you, mother
+dear?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nonsense, girl, of course not! You’ll love us as much,
+and even more, when you get away from us than you do
+now. Why, law! when I was younger than you are now I
+was crazy to go out to service; and when I did, I found
+that I loved my home and my mother better than I had
+ever done before. I sha’n’t be jealous, Em.,” laughed
+Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t know why I should want to go, either; but that
+dear lady is so lonely, so desolate, my heart goes out to her,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>mother. Think of it, she has no family circle, no visitors,
+no society, no one but her colored servants!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is her own choice, Em.; yet I do wonder at the shyness
+that makes her keep herself unknown even to old
+Commodore Bruce, who used to know her when she was
+a child, and who was just as fond of her as if she had been
+his own. I do wonder at that!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mother dear,” exclaimed Em. suddenly, “don’t you remember
+she said Dr. Willet had been to see her?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes. Dr. Willet was one of her oldest and best
+friends, and stood by her manfully in her worst troubles.
+But for a long time after she disappeared not even <i>he</i> knew
+what had become of her; however, I dare say she notified
+him afterward, although he never said anything about it,
+being bound over to secrecy, most likely.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, but, mother dear, Dr. Willet is staying at Commodore
+Bruce’s, and don’t you think he will tell the old
+commodore, who has so long mourned Emolyn as dead, that
+she is really alive and within his reach?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, no, Dr. Willet will never do so without the
+lady’s consent—never!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, what a pity it is that she so secludes herself from
+all who would love her!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, it is, Em., a crying pity. If you should get any
+influence over her, Em., you must try to coax her out of all
+that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I will, I will, dear mother. I will do all in my
+little power for that lady. It is so strange, but she feels
+inexpressibly near and dear to me,” said the girl tenderly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am glad to hear you say so, Em. And now, my dear,
+as you sat up all last night with Mrs. Whitlock, you must
+really go to sleep. Good-night, and God bless you, my
+dear,” said Susan Palmer, as she kissed her daughter and
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The next morning, true to his promise, John Palmer authorized
+Em. to write a note of acceptance to the Lady of
+Edengarden, and to send it by the old gatekeeper in his
+boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. joyfully obeyed, and penned the grateful missive,
+inquiring at its close when the lady would like that she
+should come.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>Old ’Sias took charge of the note and started to deliver
+it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the old man was feeble and slow at the oars, so that
+he took nearly the whole day to do his errand, and the
+family had finished supper, cleared up the kitchen and
+gathered around the blazing wood fire, occupied with their
+evening work—the women and girls knitting and sewing,
+the men and boys mending harness and carving out wooden
+bolts—when ’Sias walked in, bringing a letter, which he
+handed to Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Did you see the lady?” she eagerly inquired as she
+opened the note.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, honey, I didn’t see nobody but a mons’ous handsome,
+bright ’latto ’oman. Handsome as a queen, honey—de
+Queen o’ Sheba in all her glory—which she tell me,
+honey, as her name was Mellow Ponies. ’Deed, if I had
+cotch my eye on <i>her</i> ’fore I ebber seed Sereny——But
+’tain’t no use talking ’bout dat now. On’y if the ’Vine
+Marster <i>was</i> to ’flict me wid de loss ob Sereny——But
+all dat’s wanity and wexation of de sperrits,” concluded
+the old man with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Em. read her note, which she presently passed
+to her mother, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She wants me to come on Thursday, mother, and this
+is Tuesday evening, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my girl, that will give you a day to get ready, and
+I will help you,” answered Susan. Then quickly turning to
+the old gatekeeper, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“’Sias, stop! I want to send a message by you. Tell
+your wife Sereny that if she will come and sit up with our
+sick woman to-night she shall be paid well for it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Berry well, ma’am, sartin. And dat will be a great deliverance
+for me of one night, anyhow!” exclaimed the old
+man as he retreated.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The following day was spent by the mother and all her
+daughters in looking over, doing up and packing Em.’s
+simple wardrobe, ready for use in her new home.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>That night, being the last one previous to her departure,
+Em. sat up with Ann Whitlock until near day, when she
+was relieved by Monica.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was a glorious autumn day, near the last of October,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>when Em. took leave of her mother and sisters to set out
+for her new home.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now you know, dear mother, the lady said in her note
+that she hoped you would come and spend a day with us
+just as often as you could, the oftener the better,” said the
+girl, lovingly lingering over her leavetaking.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Em.,” replied Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Also she said that whenever I should feel the least homesick,
+I should come to you for a few days.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Em.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And whenever you might feel like wanting me at home
+you were to send for me and I should come.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Em.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then you won’t feel lonesome for me, mother dear?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, you goose! There, don’t worry about me! You
+didn’t make half so much fuss about leaving home when
+you went to The Breezes, though that was the very first
+time you ever left us! There! God bless you, my good
+child, good-by. I shall come to hear the blind preacher of
+the island Sunday, and then I shall see you and your sweet
+lady, too,” said Susan, pressing her daughter to her heart
+in a final embrace.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. turned away, and, escorted by her father, walked
+quickly down the leaf-strewn road leading through the
+park.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was true! Em. felt more disturbed at leaving home
+now on this second time than she had done on the first—even
+though now she was going to live with one to whom
+her affections were strangely and strongly attracted. It
+may have been that in the depths of her spirit she had unacknowledged
+previsions that this was a final departure
+from her home, that never again would she re-enter her
+father’s house except as a visitor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John walked on silently for a while, but just before they
+got to the park gate, where old ’Sias stood in attendance,
+he said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em., my child, don’t forget us in your fine new home.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, dear, dear, good, best father, never, never, never!
+How could you think I would? No, I will write to you
+twice a week, at least, and send the letter by a special messenger,
+for I feel that my lady will indulge me in that!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>“No, Em., don’t you do it! Don’t give so much extra
+trouble in a strange house. I am satisfied with what you
+say, my girl. I know you will not forget us!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>By this time they had reached the gate, which ’Sias had
+set wide open for their egress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-by, Uncle ’Sias. You must sometimes get in your
+boat and come to see me in my new home,” said Em., holding
+out her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good-by, Miss Em. Surely I’ll come to see you. Give
+my despectful compliments to Miss Mellow Ponies! If
+ever de ’Vine Marster was to ’flict me wid de ’reavement ob
+Sereny—but dere! I won’t say nuffin more ’bout dat. It’s
+permature!” added the old man, as he flourished his hat
+in a final adieu.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The father and daughter walked down to the shore, where
+they found the two boys mounting guard over Em.’s trunk,
+which they had carefully brought down from the house and
+deposited in the boat ready for transportation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. took leave of her brothers and seated herself in the
+boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Get in, dad, and make yourself comfortable; we’ll unchain
+her,” exclaimed Tom.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mr. Palmer followed this advice and took up the oars,
+and as soon as the boat was free he pushed off.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. steered.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was a strong current down the river, and they
+made very rapid progress, and soon touched the island
+strand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The lady will send two of her men servants down for
+my trunk, father. We can safely leave it here in the meantime,”
+said Em., as she stepped upon the land.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John nodded and joined her, and they walked together
+through the silver girdle, as the belt of maple trees was
+called, and thence through the acacia groves and up the
+beautiful terraces to the summit of the island, crowned
+with its white palace.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The Lady of Edengarden stood at the portal to receive
+her new inmate. She came down the steps, greeted John
+Palmer courteously, and then took Em. in her arms in a
+warm embrace and kissed her on the forehead and lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>“Don’t spoil my girl by petting and indulgence, ma’am,”
+said John Palmer, smiling.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She cannot be spoiled. Nothing can spoil her,” said the
+lady earnestly. “But now come in and rest and refresh
+yourself before returning, Mr. Palmer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you, ma’am, but I haven’t time,” replied John,
+with a how; and resisting all the lady’s entreaties, he took
+leave of her and of his daughter, and retraced his steps to
+the boat, followed by two boys whom Emolyn had sent to
+bring up her young companion’s trunk.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come on, my lads, you will have to step into the boat.
+There, each of you take hold of the handles at each end and
+lift it out. There! All right. Now go on!” said John
+Palmer cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And having seen the boys start with the trunk, he re-entered
+his boat and rowed rapidly for home, feeling content
+because Em. was happy.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVI<br> <span class='c006'>A FAIRY BOWER</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Marble walled and crystal windowed,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Vailed with silken drapery,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Dressed with ornaments of silver,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Interlaid with gems and gold;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Filled with carvings from cathedrals,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Rescued in the times of old;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Eloquent with books and pictures,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>All that luxury can afford;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Warm with statues that Pygmalion</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Might have fashioned and adored,</div>
+      <div class='line'>In the island’s groves and grottoes,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Lovely are the light and gloom,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Fountains sparkle in the grotto,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>And exotics breathe perfume.</div>
+      <div class='line in34'><span class='sc'>Mackay.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>“Come, my darling, I wish to show you something,”
+said the Lady of Edengarden, as she took the hand of
+Emolyn Palmer and led her out of the front door and
+down the marble steps to the first terrace, which was still
+green and fresh, though all around was touched with frost.
+Then she turned her around, and they stood facing the
+beautiful windows glistening in the morning sun like alabaster
+and rainbows.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Look,” said the lady, pointing to one high, airy white
+tower with many windows, whose summit seemed to be
+almost up among the clouds.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I have often gazed at that tower, dear lady! How
+elegant it is!” exclaimed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Look at the top,” said the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how lovely, with its crystal windows shaded with
+rose-colored silk and opening upon marble balconies. It
+is like a chamber in Paradise surely. I have often gazed
+at it while on my solitary visits to the island, and thought
+it was too beautiful, aerial and ideal ever to be used, and
+often wondered if any one ever lived in it! The white
+tower is the most elegant part of the palace, and that
+aerial chamber in the clouds the most beautiful part of the
+tower.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It has never been occupied. It is a virgin bower. But
+come in and I will take you at once to your apartment,”
+murmured Emolyn, as she drew her young companion’s arm
+within her own and conducted her into the hall and up
+the fairy flight of stairs leading to the upper floors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think I know your taste in lodgings. You have a cat-like
+love of garrets,” said the lady, smiling.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, indeed I have; but I wonder how you know it,
+madam?” exclaimed the girl in open-eyed astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think I should have known it by intuition even if your
+mother had not told me, as she did,” said the lady, as she
+passed the second landing and led her companion still
+higher.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They went up to the attic hall, with a floor inlaid of
+maple and black walnut; with broad, stained glass windows
+at each end, which threw a cathedral light over all, and
+doors on each side leading into closed rooms; and, lastly,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>with one tall and narrow door in the corner, toward which
+the lady led her guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They passed through it and up a narrow but very pretty
+flight of stairs that led them to an upper door, which the
+lady opened.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. made an exclamation of surprise and delight.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is your apartment, my little love,” said Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The simple maiden gazed around her in a perfect ecstasy
+of admiration.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The sudden transit from the staircase to this radiant
+scene was almost like the work of enchantment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now I wish my readers to see this beautiful room in
+their mind’s eye as clearly as I saw it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was at the top of the highest tower of the Edengarden
+Villa. It was a large, lofty, octagon-shaped room,
+whose eight sides were filled with high, broad mirrors and
+windows, alternating with each other, and all alike draped
+with rose-colored silk and white lace curtains to give uniformity.
+The floor was covered with a carpet which, from
+its hue and softness, seemed formed of blush roses and
+water lilies. Elegant cabinets, stands and tables of white
+satinwood, inlaid with flowers formed of malachite, mother-of-pearl,
+coral and turquoise, stood near the silver-gilded
+pillars between the windows and the mirrors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Sofas, divans and luxurious chairs of white satinwood,
+upholstered in rose-colored velvet and white chenille fringe,
+sat about in convenient places, inviting repose. Statuettes
+of Parian marble—miniature copies of the great masterpieces
+of sculpture, and vases of rare Sèvres china, Bohemian
+glass, or alabaster, loaded with choice exotics,
+adorned the brackets which were attached around the walls.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The ceiling was a cupola, painted in fresco, of opal-tinted
+clouds on a pale blue morning sky. But the central
+summit of this cupola was a skylight composed of one solid
+sheet of thick, clear plate-glass, through which the heavens
+could be seen by day or night.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. gazed around on this fairy chamber, too much lost
+in admiration even to ask herself whether it were not too
+rare and costly, too dainty and delicate for daily use.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is your boudoir, my bird. It is the topmost room
+in the high tower. But this tower, as you may have observed
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>from seeing it on the outside, is flanked by four
+turrets, each with its row of long, narrow windows.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, madam, I have seen them all, and this chamber
+lifted up among the clouds, as it seemed to be.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear, now look here. First, these four windows
+give you a wide view of the country toward the four
+points of the compass. Then these four mirrors between
+the windows are on hinges, and behind their silken curtains
+open into turret chambers belonging to your suite of apartments.
+See here!” she said, gently pushing one of the
+mirrors outward and revealing an alcove of pure white silk
+and lace in which stood a fairy bed of soft white draperies.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how lovely!” exclaimed the delighted girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now look here,” the lady said, opening a second mirror
+and revealing a dressing-room fitted with marble bath,
+basins, ewers, bureaus, presses and all conveniences for the
+toilet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here is everything that even a princess might desire!”
+exclaimed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And here!” continued the lady, turning in a third
+mirror, showing a little room fitted up as an oratory, library
+or study.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The floor was covered with a carpet of shaded green,
+like forest leaves; the walls were lined with white satinwood
+shelves, filled with choice books; in the middle of the
+room stood an elegant rosewood writing-table, covered with
+a richly-embroidered green cloth. Near the table stood an
+ebony-backed reading chair, cushioned with green and gold;
+under the window, which was draped with green and gold
+fringe velvet, stood a lounge in the same colors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, this is like the inside of an elegant casket!” exclaimed
+Em. with enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, it is a casket, and there are the jewels,” said the
+lady, pointing to the books. “And now let me show you
+the fourth turret room,” she continued, leading Em. to the
+only remaining mirror. Turning it inward, she revealed
+the fairy-like, spiral staircase by which they had ascended
+to this floor, and by which she now proposed that they
+should mount still higher to the observatory.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. followed her conductress up an aerial flight of steps
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>and through a stained glass window, which the lady slid
+aside, and thence out upon the top of the tower.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was round. The center was formed of the clear glass
+crystal that gave light to the chamber below. Around this
+crystal was a slender ring of white marble balustrades;
+around that a marble walk; outside the walk a row of white
+benches, and around the edge of the tower a circular colonnade
+so massive as to insure the safety even of a sleepwalker,
+if such should venture upon the giddy height.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the grand view, north, east, south, west, from that
+high and central point! There was the island immediately
+beneath, with its lovely grounds; the river all around; the
+wooded banks; the distant mountains!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em.,” exclaimed Mrs. Lynn, “you can see The Breezes,
+Commodore Bruce’s place, and the Wilderness Manor-house,
+and even the spire of Gray Rock church from this point.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, it is grand! It is glorious!” exclaimed Em. in delight.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When you wish to leave the world far below you, you
+can come up here to meditate, read, sew, sketch, dream, do
+as you please.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is like a place in a vision!” murmured Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And now, dear, we will go down,” said Mrs. Lynn, leading
+the way.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they had reached the beautiful octagon chamber,
+Em. said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The season is late autumn, and the weather seems cold
+outside, yet the temperature in here is that of summer, although
+I see no means of heating this charming place.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you not?” inquired the lady, smiling.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, indeed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What do you take this to be?” she asked, pointing to a
+piece of furniture that looked like a large pedestal and
+vase of alabaster and Bohemian glass and stood near the
+center of the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That? Why, an elegant flower stand, to be sure!” said
+Em., wondering.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, so it is in summer; but in autumn and winter
+we put it to a different use. Lay your hand on it—lightly,
+Em.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>The girl placed her hand on the pedestal and quickly
+withdrew it, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is hot!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, and it heats the room. It is one of those porcelain
+stoves, such as those with which the Russian palaces are
+partly heated. And see, dear, the vase on top is kept full
+of rose-water, which diffuses both moisture and perfume
+throughout the atmosphere.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, how perfect! I could not have conceived of a place
+so perfect, if indeed it is not all a dream!” breathed Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And now, love, I will leave you to make your toilet for
+dinner. There, in those drawers and wardrobes of your
+dressing-room, you will find an outfit, such as I wish you
+to wear. Youth should always dress in white while in the
+house, Em. At least I think so, even at this time of the
+year. And you may do so with impunity, for, as you say,
+although the season is autumn, the atmosphere is summer.
+It is <i>always</i> summer at Edengarden,” the lady added with
+a smile as she pressed a kiss upon the lips of Em. and left
+the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. stood for a moment looking about herself, still
+dazzled and bewildered by the novelty and beauty of her
+surroundings, and then, child like, she went to each rosesilk
+and lace-draped window and in turn opened it and
+stepped out upon the marble balcony. There were four of
+these, be it remembered, each affording strict privacy and
+commanding a magnificent view. While she was still standing
+on the balcony outside of the east window she was
+startled by a voice in the room calling out:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Miss Em.! Where is yer, honey? Come out here,
+honey.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I <i>am</i> ‘out here,’ Pony,” laughed the girl, “but I will
+step <i>in</i>, if you want me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I t’ought you was in your bedroom, maybe. My
+mist’ess has sent me up here to help yer to dress, chile.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you, aunty,” said Em. as she came into the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Pony herself went into the dressing-closet and began to
+overhaul the fresh wardrobe, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There’s your nice gauze flannels in this bottom drawer,
+honey, and yer cambric skirts in this, and yer dresses in
+the wardrobe, and yer——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>“Pony,” interrupted Em., “I have not known your dear
+and lovely mistress for a week, and here she has a complete
+outfit for me. How on earth could she have got it?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, chile, maybe she may tell you herself some o’ dese
+days. <i>I</i> ain’t at liberty to explain, Miss Em. Only this
+I’ll say, dat dis wardrobe wasn’t got for <i>you</i>, nor was dese
+rooms prepared for <i>you</i>, nor was——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“For whom, then, were the rooms fitted up and the wardrobe
+selected?” inquired the wondering girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I can’t tell you, Miss Em. It ain’t my secret, but de
+madam’s. ’Haps, as she has taken sich a fancy to you, she
+may tell you herself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked so puzzled, and even distressed, that Pony
+hastened to say:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But you have got the beautiful rooms and the beautiful
+dresses all to yourself now, honey, with no one to dispute
+them with you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am afraid, though, that my gain is somebody
+else’s——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, indeed, Miss Em.! There you are very much mistaken,
+for I can tell you this much——” eagerly interrupted
+the woman; and then she suddenly paused.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. waited for her to go on, grew impatient, and then
+demanded:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What, Pony?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>These beautiful rooms and most beautiful raiment was
+never designed for no mortal girl!</i>”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Pony! <span class='sc'>What</span> do you mean?” breathlessly exclaimed
+Em. as a mental vision of the radiant White Lady of the
+Wilderness Manor-hall sent an electric thrill through her
+veins.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I daren’t tell you, honey, what I mean. ’Haps <i>she’ll</i>
+tell you some ob dese days, since she’s took sich a liking to
+you, which I hopes, honey, you’ll be a blessing to her and
+win her away from de solitary life as I think has all but
+turned her brain. I has hopes of you, honey, ’cause you’s
+de berry first person she has ever bided to make a companion
+of for dese seventeen years or more. Your folks is
+de berry first people in all dese many days as she has ever
+’vited to her house.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>“Oh, how lonely must such a life have been!” sighed the
+girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, but it was her own choosing. Why, dere
+was even Dr. Willet, her ’ticklerest old friend! When he
+came here t’other day she <i>seed</i> him, to be sure, but she
+didn’t ax him to stay to dinner!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I am <i>so</i> glad she let me come!” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, so am I. My hopes is all in you, Miss Em. My
+hopes for my dear mist’ess is all in you! Why, honey, she
+is so <i>young</i> to shet herself up from deciety! She ain’t
+more’n thirty-two years old, and she don’t look nigh <i>that</i>
+even. She don’t look so much older’n you, Miss Em. And
+if she would go out she might marry happy! She might,
+indeed, for dere’s many and many an unmarried single
+young lady of her age what passed theirselves off <i>well</i> for a
+miss in her ’teens! And nobody know to de contrary!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, if I could only do anything to make her happy! To
+make her forget the past, whatever it is! To win her back
+to her fellow-beings!” sighed Em., clasping her hands prayerfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I ’pends on you for to do dat, Miss Em. And now, my
+honey-bee, come dress yerself as pretty as ever you can, for
+my lady loves to look at pretty things. So dress yerself
+pretty, Miss Em.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In the ghost’s clothes?” inquired Em., half jestingly,
+half shudderingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, honey, not de ghost’s! Don’t be afeard—dere’s no
+ghost. In de <i>angel’s</i> clothes, more like.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What<i>ever</i> do you mean, Pony?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I daren’t say no more’n dis, honey—what I said afore—as
+dese things, dese lovely rooms and lovely raiments, was
+never prepared for <i>you</i>, <i>nor for no mortal lady</i>, dough you
+has got dem now! So, my honey, don’t ax me no more
+questions, ’cause you wouldn’t have me ’tray my mist’ess’
+trust, would you?” seriously inquired Pony.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, no, no!” earnestly exclaimed Em., who had not
+considered the subject in that light before.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, den, honey, don’t ax me no more questions on
+dat subject, ’cause talking is my weakness, anyhow; but,
+come, now and dress yerself pretty as a fairy, to go down
+and sit wid my mist’ess.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>Em. looked over her simple and elegant wardrobe and
+selected a costume of embroidered white India muslin,
+lightly trimmed with pale blue ribbons.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When she was ready she followed Pony down to the presence
+of her mistress, whom she found in a little boudoir
+connected with the long saloon on one end and a small, elegant
+dining-room on the other.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady had changed her own dress, and wore a silver-gray
+silk with point lace falls, and no jewelry.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We dine early here, my dear girl,” said Mrs. Lynn as
+she touched the bell.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No one answered it, for the signal at that hour was
+understood, and in about five minutes dinner was announced.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No more need be said of this than that it was a dainty
+little dinner for two, elegantly served in the small but
+sumptuous dining-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>After dinner Mrs. Lynn took Emolyn into the library,
+where they spent a few pleasant hours seated in luxurious
+chairs at a table covered with books of engravings after the
+old masters.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When tired of this amusement at the lady’s suggestion
+they drew their chairs to the fire and fell into a confidential
+chat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady drew Em. out to speak of her childhood, of
+Laundry Lane, of her journey to the mountains, and of
+her first impressions of the new home.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In the course of her narrative Em. spoke of the radiant
+vision she had seen in the moonlit hall on the first night
+of her stay at the old manor-house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Life is full of mysteries,” muttered the lady thoughtfully—then,
+seeing Em. watching breathlessly, she added—“But
+your vision was probably a dream, inspired by the
+stories you had heard about the so-called ‘haunted hall.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I never heard any stories, dear lady. To be sure,
+old ’Sias, the gatekeeper, startled mother by hinting that
+no one who knew the house could be induced to go into it.
+But he absolutely refused to explain his words, so we heard
+no story,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What? Why should you have dreamed of the bride’s
+ghost if you never had heard the story?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>“Dear lady, I did not dream. I <i>saw</i> the radiant spirit.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You think you did, my dear, at all events, and it is
+very strange that your dream should have corresponded so
+well with the legend you never heard.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, but please tell it to me, dear lady,” said Em., who
+had all a child’s eagerness to hear a story.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is very old; but one of my remote ancestors was a
+terrible domestic tyrant, and had, among many sons, only
+one beautiful daughter. She loved a poor young man, but
+was ordered by her father to marry an old one. Parents
+did not trifle in those days. Ethelinde was to be forced
+to obey. She was locked in her room and guarded till the
+wedding night.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The time came. The guests were assembled, the feast
+was spread. The bridegroom and his attendants waited in
+the hall, the bishop and the rector were ready in the drawing-room.
+The bride was dressed in splendid bridal array;
+but every once noticed how pale she looked, even to her lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“At length the summons came and she went down, followed
+by her bridesmaids.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“From the lower end of the hall her aged bridegroom
+came to meet her. He was bowing and smiling and holding
+out his hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But as he touched her she fell at his feet—DEAD!</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The overtaxed heart had broken. There, those are the
+facts, Em.! The fiction is that on every anniversary of that
+fatal day the bride goes through her death march again,
+sometimes followed by a faithful attendant, sometimes
+alone. You <i>must</i> have heard the story and forgotten it, else
+why should you have dreamed the dream?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It was no dream, dear lady. Yours is a veritable ghost
+story, and I have seen a veritable ghost,” said Em. in a
+voice of awe.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, let us go to bed and sleep off such morbid
+fancies,” said Mrs. Lynn as she arose and rang for bedroom
+lights.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVII<br> <span class='c006'>EM.’S DAYS AT EDENGARDEN</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Within the island’s calm retreat</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>She leads a sort of fairy life,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Careless of victory or defeat,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>In the word’s ceaseless toil and strife.</div>
+      <div class='line in42'><span class='sc'>Anon.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Our little heroine’s life in Edengarden seemed to her
+something like that of a princess in fairyland.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She lived in ease and luxury, surrounded by beauty and
+splendor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No services were required from her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The Lady of Edengarden made out for her the programme
+of a course of reading which she recommended the
+girl to pursue, and Em. gratefully and gladly devoted a
+few hours of every morning to these studies. Mrs. Lynn
+also instructed her chosen pupil in the French and German
+languages, and in vocal and instrumental music, and in
+sketching and embroidery.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. was very happy, or she would have been but for one
+tormenting thought which presented itself again and again—the
+thought that she herself was making no sort of return
+for all these benefits—no, nor doing any useful thing, as
+far as she could see, for any human being.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>This thought sometimes made Em. so unhappy that at
+length she felt forced to speak of it to her benefactress.
+She watched for an opportunity to do so, and it came at
+length.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She was sitting with Mrs. Lynn in the boudoir of the
+latter and engaged on a beautiful piece of satin embroidery,
+mere useless “fancy” work, such as Em. in her practical
+life had never “fancied.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You look very thoughtful, my child. Are you homesick,
+Em.?” inquired the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, dear madam, no!” earnestly replied the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What is the matter then, my love! Do you not enjoy
+yourself here?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>“Yes, dear lady, but——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But what?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am not doing any service for you in return for all the
+great benefits you lavish on me. I am not doing anything
+for anybody in the world, and——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, Em.?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, dear lady, I feel as if I were doing wrong. I have
+been taught that life was not given us for mere selfish enjoyment,
+and I have been trained to a busy and active life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And you think that you are doing no good here?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am living a life of self-indulgence, dear lady.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Instead of the life of self-devotion that you have been
+used to, I suppose. Now listen to me, dear girl, and I will
+show you how mistaken you are. When I first saw you,
+child, I was drawn to you as you admit that you were to me.
+In my seventeen years of utter isolation from all society I
+have never met any one to whom my heart went out as it
+did to you. In the short time I have known you, my child,
+I have learned to love you more and more. I keep you
+near me. I direct your education. It is a happiness to me
+to do this.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I do nothing for you, dear lady.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, you heal me, child. <i>You heal me of a long, long
+heart-sickness.</i>”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, madam, if I could think myself so privileged, so
+honored and <i>blessed</i> as to be able to do that, I should indeed
+feel that my life were well spent!” exclaimed the girl with
+enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then content yourself, my child, for I have told you
+the truth. It can be summed up in two words—I teach
+you. You heal me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And indeed it was so. The lady was educating the girl
+and the girl was drawing the recluse out of herself, out of
+her morbid thoughts, out of her solitary life.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A proof of this soon occurred.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Dr. Willet came to the island. The recluse Lady of Edengarden
+not only received him, as indeed she did on his
+first visit, but also pressed him to stay and dine.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The good doctor did not need much persuasion. He
+readily consented to remain. He brought Em. news of her
+father’s family, who were all well with the exception of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>Ann Whitlock, whom he reported to be very much in the
+same condition in which Em. had left her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was in the afternoon of that day when Em., having
+left the room for a few moments, and Dr. Willet, finding
+himself alone with his hostess, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That little girl is doing you good.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, she is a healing angel to me,” answered the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, now, let me tell you one thing. It is from no
+peculiar merit in the girl, although she is a good child. It
+is only because she is not yourself. She is somebody outside
+of yourself. She is company, in fact. That is the
+reason why she has done you good. Now, dear friend, let
+me assure you that the more company you see, within certain
+limits, the more good you will receive,” said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady did not reply. The doctor, encouraged by her
+silent toleration of his argument, continued:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There is your old friend and neighbor, Commodore
+Bruce, with whom you know I am staying. How rejoiced
+he would be to hear news of you. He has never ceased to
+mourn you as dead, Emolyn Wyndeworth! Let me tell
+<i>him</i>, at least, that you live and are well and near him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, no, no!” exclaimed the Lady of Edengarden
+suddenly and vehemently—“if you wish to break up my
+home here and send me forth again a wanderer and a vagabond
+on the face of the earth, you will betray my secret to
+<i>him</i> of all men!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My dear lady, say no more! say no more! Your secret
+is as safe with me as with the dead!” hastily answered the
+doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The return of Em. put an end to the conversation, and
+Dr. Willet soon after took his leave.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In the course of the same week Susan Palmer came to
+see her daughter, and at Mrs. Lynn’s cordial invitation
+spent the day.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>On bidding good-by to the lady she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I fear, dear madam, as you are a-sp’iling that girl for
+a poor man’s wife, with all the luxuries and elegancies as
+you are a-pampering her up with.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not fear. If nature has not, from the beginning,
+spoiled her for a poor man’s helpmate, education, at this
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>late day, cannot do it. Besides, Susan Palmer, why should
+she ever be a poor man’s wife?” inquired the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>This question arrested Susan’s attention at once. Though
+in the act of departure she paused, turned around and exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! now I suppose Em. has been telling you about her
+wealthy lover!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Her ‘wealthy lover?’ Indeed not,” replied the lady
+with an anxious glance towards Em., who blushed to the
+edges of her hair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, she <i>will</i> tell you, ma’am, for I haven’t got
+time! Em., tell the lady all about it, and she will be able
+to advise you just as well as anybody in this world! Tell
+her all, Em., and don’t blush up so, my girl! You behaved
+well in that business, child, and haven’t got nothing to blush
+for!” said Susan Palmer proudly. And then, having kissed
+her daughter and shaken hands with her benefactress,
+Susan went down to the beach to be rowed home by old
+’Sias.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The Lady of Edengarden made it a matter of conscience
+to speak to her young protégée on the subject suggested by
+Mrs. Palmer. She understood well, also, how to prepare
+for such a confidential conversation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was one room, the most plainly furnished in the
+Villa of Edengarden, which was the favorite evening resort
+of Mrs. Lynn and her young companion, because it was
+warmed by an old-fashioned open wood fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In this room Em. and her patroness sat in the evening
+after the departure of Susan Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Pony came in to light the lamps.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, don’t do that yet awhile. We will sit in the firelight,”
+said Mrs. Lynn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It <i>is</i> cozy like, too,” Pony admitted as she retired.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Draw your chair up to the fire, Em., put your feet on
+the fender; and now, love, tell me who is this wealthy lover
+of yours of whom your mother spoke?” softly inquired Mrs.
+Lynn when they were left alone in the ruddy glow of the
+smoldering red hickory fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He is Lieutenant Ronald Bruce, the nephew and heir of
+Commodore Bruce, of The Breezes,” answered Em. in a low
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>and tremulous tone, feeling well pleased that her face was
+but dimly visible in the glowing gloom of the firelight.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Bruce!’ That name again,” murmured the lady
+thoughtfully. Then, after a meditative pause, she said:
+“My dear girl, if you feel that you can confide in me, tell
+me all about it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Thus appealed to, Em. would have told her little love
+story to her friend, cost what it might to her own feelings.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was not hard for her to tell it there. She drew her
+low chair closer to the lady’s side, and with her head on the
+lady’s lap she related the circumstances of her first meeting
+with Ronald Bruce, when he had saved her from falling
+under the uplifted club of an intoxicated and infuriated
+ruffian. How their acquaintance progressed. How he had
+been her disinterested friend, and had tried to improve her
+condition even before he had declared himself to be her
+lover. How he had procured her first the offer of a situation
+of nursery governess in his sister’s family, which she had
+refused for her father’s sake. How afterwards, when her
+family had come to Virginia, he had managed so that his
+mother had offered her a situation as seamstress at The
+Breezes. How Commodore Bruce had taken a fancy to her
+himself, and when she was capriciously discharged from his
+sister-in-law’s service had engaged her as his reader, which
+post she had filled to his satisfaction until his nephew, Lieutenant
+Ronald Bruce, had confessed his attachment to her
+and announced his intention of marriage.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That was noble and upright in the young man. What
+followed?” inquired Mrs. Lynn as Em. faltered and paused
+in her narrative.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Commodore Bruce summoned his nephew to his presence
+and threatened to disinherit him unless he gave me
+up.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What next, my dear? Speak on. Speak low if you like,
+but do not be afraid. What did the young man say or do?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald declined to give me up, and accepted disinheritance
+as a consequence.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That was right. And then? What then? Compose
+yourself, my child, and speak on.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then,” continued Em. in a low and faltering voice that
+seemed as if it would break down at every syllable—“then
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>Commodore Bruce sent for me and told me all that he had
+told <i>him</i>—Ronald—and threw himself on what he was so
+polite as to call <i>my</i> honor, and asked me to reject Ronald for
+Ronald’s own sake.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And you, darling, <i>you</i>, what did you do?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—rejected—him—and went home—with my father,”
+said Em., utterly breaking down.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not weep so bitterly, my love. This lover—he <i>never</i>
+acted on your forced rejection, Em.?” tenderly inquired the
+lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No—no! He would not listen to it. He said he was
+of age, and no one had the right to control him in a matter
+so near his heart,” continued Em., recovering something of
+her self-possession.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Go on, dear.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He appealed to my father; but my dear father was
+prouder in his way than Commodore Bruce himself. He
+refused me to Ronald. He said that no daughter of his
+should ever enter any family who would not be as glad to
+receive her as ever he could be to give her. And that Lieutenant
+Bruce must never come again until he came authorized
+by Commodore Bruce to ask my hand.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And so,” said the lady, “between these two stiff-necked
+old men—the haughty old commodore and the arrogant
+overseer—you are to be sacrificed! For, I suppose, as a
+dutiful child, you will abide by your father’s decision.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, madam, for I promised my dear father never
+to marry without his consent, and I know he will never
+consent to my marriage with Ronald,” said Em., almost on
+the verge of breaking down again, but she succeeded in controlling
+herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So, finally, all depends upon the will of Commodore
+Bruce?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, again, the young man—has he accepted this decision
+of your father?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, indeed, madam, no more than he accepted that of
+his uncle or mine! He says he will never give me up!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He is right. Commodore Bruce must be brought to
+terms. Do not misunderstand me, however, my dear. I
+strongly disapprove of young people taking the law into
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>their own hands in this respect, and marrying against the
+wishes of their parents. But Ronald’s case is an exceptional
+one. Commodore Bruce is not his father, nor his guardian,
+and has no right to dictate to him, a man of twenty-five, on
+the subject of his marriage, nor has he the moral right to
+bribe him by a rich inheritance to give up his true and
+honest love. With your father’s feeling on the subject I can
+better sympathize. I, too, if I were so blessed as to have
+a daughter, would object to her entering even a royal family
+by marriage, if they were not as proud to receive her as I
+to bestow her. Yes, I understand and appreciate your
+father’s motives. It is the old commodore who must be set
+right. Now, cheer up, my darling. I will be the fairy godmother
+who shall bring the prince back to your feet,” said
+the lady, pressing a kiss upon her brow.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked up—gratefully, doubtfully; for how, she
+asked herself, could this lady, with all her great power and
+good will, influence Commodore Bruce to put away those
+strong prejudices of caste which formed a part of his very
+being?</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The Lady of Edengarden, watching her expressive face,
+read her thoughts and answered them as if they had been
+spoken.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Commodore Bruce knew me and loved me from my
+childhood up to the time I was about sixteen years of age.
+I have not seen him since. The trial that blighted my life
+has prevented me——But I cannot speak of that! He
+believes me dead! But for your sake, my darling, I will
+burst the bonds that hold me. I will break the silence of
+years. I will go to Commodore Bruce in person, and I
+know I have the talisman which shall bring him to favorable
+terms. Cheer up, Em.! All will be well.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVIII<br> <span class='c006'>A VISIT TO THE BREEZES</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line in12'>Sunrise will come next!</div>
+      <div class='line'>The shadow of the night is passed away!</div>
+      <div class='line in34'><span class='sc'>Browning.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Yes,” said the Lady of Edengarden to herself on the
+morning after her eventful conversation with Em., and
+while she and her young companion sat together in the blue
+parlor, engaged with their embroidery—“yes, though I
+have never left this island except to leave the country, I
+will try to break the strong spell that has bound me, and
+to cast off the dark nightmare that has oppressed me for
+years, and, for the sake of this gentle child, and of one who
+bears the name and likeness of him I loved and lost, I will
+seek the presence of the man whom I most dreaded to meet
+in this world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All who ever knew Emolyn Wyndeworth knew that she
+was sensitive, timid, and retiring in the extreme. To these
+weaknesses she owed all her misfortunes. To these she had
+so succumbed as to have died a moral and social death daily
+for the last seventeen years.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It required, therefore, a heroic effort in her to form this
+resolution. It would require an almost superhuman one to
+carry it into effect.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While she was still trying to</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c010'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“Screw ‘her’ courage to the sticking place”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c009'>for an interview with Commodore Bruce, two cards were
+brought in by her page and placed in her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Dr. Willet,’ ‘Lieutenant Bruce,’” she read aloud.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. looked up suddenly, too much frightened to blush.
+She expected to see a frown of anger at this intrusion on
+the face of her who had worn nothing but smiles for her
+protégée.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But, no! that very grave face had not the slightest trace
+of displeasure on it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>“Where have you left these gentlemen?” she inquired
+of her page.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In the small white saloon, madam.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will see them there. Go and say so.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The page left the room and the lady turned to Emolyn,
+whose color was rolling over her face like rose-leaves before
+a breeze.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are afraid I am not going to let you see your lover?
+Do not fear that, my child ; I shall send him in to you. I
+have something to say to Dr. Willet,” said the lady as
+she stooped and left a kiss on the brow of the girl and
+passed from the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In the small white saloon—which was a sort of anteroom
+to the large white saloon—the hostess found Dr. Willet
+and Lieutenant Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The former arose and advanced toward her with outstretched
+hands and deprecating smile, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have to beg your pardon for what I fear you will consider
+an unpardonable liberty; but my young friend
+here——Allow me to present Lieutenant Bruce——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here the young officer approached and bowed reverentially,
+and the lady smiled on him and offered her hand,
+saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have heard of Lieutenant Bruce from a young lady
+who is staying with me, and I am very happy to make him
+welcome to Edengarden.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young officer bowed again and lifted the hand of
+the lady to his lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So! the great gun is fired, and nobody killed or desperately
+wounded,” muttered the doctor to himself; then,
+aloud: “My young friend here, as I was about to say, asked
+me to introduce him to you, madam, and, in fact, would
+take no denial.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am very glad to see him,” repeated the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He had, in fact, a small parcel belonging to your young
+protégée, which he did not care to trust to an ordinary messenger,
+and which I, for reasons, did not volunteer to bring
+myself,” added the doctor with a merry look.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And perhaps, for the same cause, you would prefer to
+deliver your parcel in person, Mr. Bruce,” suggested the
+lady with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>“If you please, madam,” replied the young gentleman
+with a bow, expecting that his hostess would then send for
+her little companion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In fact, the lady touched the bell and brought her young
+page to her presence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Show this gentleman to the blue parlor,” she said to the
+boy. “You will find Miss Palmer there,” she added to the
+man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce arose, turned a grateful look upon the
+lady, and followed the page.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I perceive that you have divined this pretty little love
+idyl, and do not disapprove it,” said Dr. Willet as soon as he
+was left alone with the Lady of Edengarden.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I was about to make the very same observation to you.
+No, indeed, I do not disapprove of it. On the contrary, I
+wish to do everything I can to forward it. Dr. Willet!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am going to match-making.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You, my child?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes. From what I have understood, her want of fortune
+is the only objection the lover’s friends have to his
+chosen bride—the only objection they <i>can</i> have—for the
+girl is beautiful, intellectual, graceful, amiable, fairly educated,
+ladylike, and young enough to improve in all these
+things.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But her want of fortune, my dear lady——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I can supply. I have ample means and no children, no,
+nor even near relations in this world. I have fallen in love
+with this little girl! You smile, but, indeed, that is the
+only way in which I can express my sudden and increasing
+affection for little Emolyn Palmer. I will endow her richly
+on her marriage, and make her my heiress at my death.
+You smile again.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am thinking, dear lady, that you and your protégée
+seem to be so nearly of an age, that, to use a homely proverb,
+‘When one dies of old age, the other may quake for
+fear!’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There is sixteen years’ difference between our ages,
+doctor.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed! But, yes, of course, when I come to remember,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>I know there must be. And you will really endow this
+child?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Dr. Willet, and——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish to see Commodore Bruce myself on this subject.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You do! Oh, I am delighted to hear you say that you
+will see him on <i>any</i> subject! He will be so rejoiced to
+know that you live that I believe it will add years to his
+own lease of life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is very pleasant to hear. Yet I do not see why the
+aged commodore should take such a great interest in me!
+Why, indeed, he should take <i>any</i> interest now,” said the
+lady thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think it is from a morbid compunction—almost remorse.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Remorse?’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Emolyn! For on the last night before his son
+Leonidas embarked on that fatal voyage from which he
+never returned the boy, moved by some prophetic spirit, implored
+his father to watch over <span class='fss'>YOU</span>—his own lifelong playmate
+and companion. The father gave less heed to this
+parting prayer than he afterwards had reason to suppose he
+should have done; and he has fostered a morbid remorse
+of which he has only very lately made me the confidant.
+He will be so glad to know that you still live, dear Emolyn,
+that he will be likely to yield to any wish of yours, even to
+the consenting that his nephew and heir shall marry the
+overseer’s daughter.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Heaven grant it,” she breathed in tones so low, so full
+of controlled emotion, that the doctor turned and regarded
+her with surprise. He could not know the depths of bitter
+memory in her bosom that had been stirred by the name
+of Leonidas Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You take this girl’s interests very deeply to heart. No
+doubt you will be able to influence the old commodore in
+their favor. Shall I bring him here to see you to-morrow?”
+he inquired.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, no, for he is aged, and, as I have heard from Emolyn
+Palmer, unwilling ever to stir from his home. No;
+but I will ask you, Dr. Willet, to take me to see him. Will
+you do so?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>“Most willingly, my dear young friend. When shall I
+have the pleasure? To-morrow? Next day? When?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Can I not go to-day? Accompany you when you return?”
+inquired the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Assuredly you can if you wish! I shall be very happy
+to have you. Young Bruce and I rowed ourselves here, and
+we shall be very glad to row you back with us.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How soon do you return? Do not think me inhospitable;
+for I know, of course, by your bringing Lieutenant
+Bruce, that you did not intend to give <i>us</i> the pleasure of
+your company all day, and I only wished to know if you
+were going directly to The Breezes, or intending to keep
+on to Gray Rock?” said the lady with a deprecating smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, I understand perfectly, and so I am not sensitive!
+We are going directly back to The Breezes, my dear lady,
+and will be happy to take you with us,” said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then, if you will kindly excuse me, I will go and put
+on my hat and shawl and be ready, so that when our young
+friends have got through their <i>tête-à-tête</i> I may not keep
+you waiting,” replied the lady as she left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In the meantime Ronald Bruce passed into the blue parlor,
+where he found Em. awaiting him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The girl’s countenance prompted her to rebuke her lover
+for his second audacious attempt to break through her
+father’s prohibition. But at the sight of his loving, happy,
+radiant face her heart condoned the offense.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear Em., dear, dearest Em.! don’t reproach me! I
+have not seen you for a month. I could not stand it any
+longer. I had to make a friend of old Dr. Willet, I mean a
+confidant, for he was always my friend—one of my oldest
+and best friends—and I got him to bring me here and introduce
+me to the lady of the house. Oh! Em., my treasure,
+I am so glad to see you! Don’t reproach me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Indeed, she could not do so. His beaming countenance
+continued to shine on her, while he held her hands, rapturously
+kissing them from time to time as he poured forth
+his impetuous stream of words.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am <i>very</i> glad to see you, Ronald, but, oh! I know I
+ought not to be glad. Did my dear lady send you in to see
+me?” she inquired while he placed himself at her side on
+the sofa.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>“Oh, yes, to be sure she did! Some good spirit must
+have whispered to her how much I wished to see you alone,”
+he said, still tightly holding her hand and pressing it to
+his lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t, Ronald, please don’t do that,” she said, withdrawing
+her hand, but adding, “I told the lady all about us,
+Ronald.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You! There, I said some angel had enlightened her,
+and you are the one!” he murmured, as he recaptured her
+hand and deftly slipped a ring upon her finger.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! what is this?” she exclaimed, raising the hand that
+he had then released and gazing upon the sparkling solitaire
+diamond set in the golden circle around her finger.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is something belonging to you,” he gravely replied.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Belonging to me!” she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, it is your betrothal ring, ordered for you some
+weeks ago, but never received until yesterday.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She began to withdraw the ring from her finger, but he
+caught her hand and prevented her from doing so as he
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, Em., you must not remove it. You must wear it
+until it is replaced by a wedding ring. Listen, Em.! Don’t
+make me out a story-teller! I said I had a parcel to deliver
+which <i>belonged to you</i>, as it did belong to you, since it was
+ordered and made for you—and that was my excuse for
+wanting to intrude on the seclusion of this hermit lady!
+Don’t make me out a mendacious villain by refusing to take
+<i>what belongs to you</i>!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t understand your logic, dear Ronald; but I <i>know</i>
+I must not take a betrothal ring from you in the face of my
+father’s prohibition of our engagement,” replied the girl as
+she steadily withdrew the ring from her finger and returned
+it to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Little wooden post! Little marble pillar! Little iceberg!”
+exclaimed the young man half angrily. “Are we <i>not</i>
+engaged, then? Do you withdraw from your promise?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, dear Ronald, not one iota! I promised never to
+marry any other person but you, and, of course, I never
+shall. It was hardly worth while to have made such a promise,
+though! It was altogether a word of supererogation,
+for in <i>no</i> case could I ever think of any other marriage.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>But notwithstanding that, Ronald, I can never marry you
+until my father withdraws his opposition, and so, dear, I
+must not take your ring.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is <i>you</i> who are as relentless as a griffin! I do not
+find it so difficult to manage the old man. He did not forbid
+me the house the last time I went to see you there! No,
+although I went there on that occasion against his order!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I suppose he thought it was no use to prohibit the
+visits of a man who paid no attention to his prohibition,”
+said Em. gravely.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, that was not the reason! My father-in-law who is
+to be would have been more likely to have kicked out any
+other man but me, under the like circumstances. But I am
+really very much attached to the old man, and he knows it,
+and he <i>could</i> not snub me while I smiled in his face! That
+was the reason why he did not repeat his prohibition or even
+forbid me to visit you here!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, my father would never have done the last! He had
+no right to say that you should not come to Edengarden.
+But, Ronald, he confides in your honor and in mine. And
+we must not abuse his confidence. He shall not be disappointed
+in us, Ronald. Oh, I have something so delightful
+to tell you, dear Ronald! I have already told you how I
+made known our case to my dear friend and benefactress,
+and I suppose that was the reason why she staid with Dr.
+Willet and sent you in to see me. Well, Ronald, this dear
+lady feels so interested in us that she is going to interfere,
+and she says she has a <i>talisman</i>—that is only her way of
+saying that she has power and influence with the commodore
+sufficient to win his consent to our marriage.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The Lady of Edengarden said that?” exclaimed young
+Bruce in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Indeed she did, dear, and she promised faithfully to use
+her power in our favor.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I do not know what power or influence this beautiful,
+mysterious and most interesting lady can have with my old
+uncle. I am very sure that he is not even acquainted with
+her; for on one occasion, when I first came to The Breezes,
+I asked him if he knew his neighbor on the island, whose
+name was on everybody’s lips; he said no, he didn’t know
+her, and had never even heard of her until very recently;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>and he added in his rough way that he didn’t want to know
+her—that he disapproved of women whose eccentricities
+placed their names in everybody’s mouth! That is a dark
+prospect for her success with my uncle, Em., my darling!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah! but I suspect that the Lady of Edengarden knows
+what she is talking about. Besides, how should Commodore
+Bruce be able to tell whether he has ever known her
+before? Hardly any one knows who she was, or where she
+came from. For my part, I believe she <i>has</i> the power and
+influence which she claims,” said Em., speaking with confidence,
+although she did not feel at liberty to speak with
+explicitness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, my dearest, I pin my faith on Mrs. Lynn and
+on your superior knowledge of that lady, only devoutly
+praying that my faith, as well as yours, may be justified,”
+said Ronald Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>What more he might have said on the same subject does
+not appear, because the abrupt entrance of the little page
+stopped the conversation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If you please, sir, Dr. Willet bid me say to you, with
+his compliments, that he is ready to go,” said the boy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well! Tell Dr. Willet I will join him in a minute,”
+replied the young man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The boy withdrew to carry his message.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they were once more alone Em. said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear Ronald, do not keep the good doctor waiting.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will not, darling, especially as I owe to him the introduction
+that enables me to visit you here; for now that an
+<i>entrée</i> has been effected, I shall come often, Em., unless my
+excellent father-in-law-elect should take it into his conscientious
+head to forbid me! Well, good-by, my precious!”
+he said, stooping to kiss her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stop,” she said, deftly evading the caress. “I am going
+out with you to see Dr. Willet. I want to ask him how my
+dear old Aunty Whitlock is!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Em., was ever a girl so blessed or burdened with
+relations as you are?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Blessed—not burdened,” said Em. as they left the parlor
+and walked on together to the little white saloon.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Dr. Willet, I am so glad to see you to-day. Have
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>you been to the Wilderness this morning?” inquired Em. as
+she shook hands with the good physician.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, my child; and I left them all well, with the exception
+of Mrs. Whitlock, who is no better,” replied the doctor
+as he arose to take leave.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are going out, dear madam?” inquired Em. as she
+saw Mrs. Lynn standing beside the door, dressed for her
+visit.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, my love. The doctor’s call this morning is very
+opportune, since it affords me the privilege of his escort
+to The Breezes,” said Mrs. Lynn with a bow to the physician.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. exchanged an intelligent glance with her lover;
+but that was all they could do, for the doctor advanced
+and shook hands with her again, this time bidding her
+good-by.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But who is to bring you home again, madam?” anxiously
+inquired Em. of her benefactress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>I</i> shall have that honor, so I will not say good-by, but
+<i>au revoir</i>,” Ronald Bruce hastened to add as he seized and
+pressed her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady and her escort then left the house and walked
+down to the boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is only about half way to the Wilderness Manor
+Landing that we have to go to reach The Breezes, I believe,”
+said Mrs. Lynn, as she permitted herself to be assisted
+into the boat and accommodated with a cushioned
+seat in the stern.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Scarcely so far. We shall reach The Breezes in half an
+hour with <i>our</i> rowing,” answered Ronald Bruce, as he
+pushed off the boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then both gentlemen laid themselves to the oars and the
+boat sped on.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIX<br> <span class='c006'>BEARDING THE LION IN HIS DEN</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>By hope I see the landscape bathed in light;</div>
+      <div class='line'>And where the golden vapor vails the gaze,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Guess out the spot and mark the site of happy days.</div>
+      <div class='line in42'><span class='sc'>Bulwer.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>It was a glorious autumn day. The sky, of a deep and
+brilliant hue, was without a single cloud. The moss-covered
+mountain rocks on the right hand and the wooded hills on
+the left glowed and burned in all the most gorgeous hues—scarlet,
+golden, purple, green, crimson and orange—all reflected
+as by a clear mirror in the calm deep waters of the
+river.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, surely this glowing day is a happy augury!” said
+the Lady of Edengarden, as the boat skimmed the water.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Let us believe that it is so. Faith works miracles,” replied
+the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young officer turned a grateful glance on his good
+fairy, but said nothing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few more minutes they caught sight of the low,
+broad, gray front of the old mountain manor-house,
+roosted on its natural plateau of rock, half way up the precipice,
+and known to the country round by the name given
+it by its nautical proprietor—The Breezes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few more minutes the boat touched the sands on
+the lower landing, and Lieutenant Bruce sprang out and
+assisted his lady passenger to do the same.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The ascent of the steep was difficult and wearisome, but
+not dangerous.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Dr. Willet and Lieutenant Bruce each proffered strong
+arms to assist the lady in climbing, but she, who in
+the course of her travels had ascended more than one celebrated
+mountain, smilingly declined their aid, and with the
+help of her long-handled parasol, folded and used as a walking-stick,
+she went up the precipitous path as safely as a
+kid could have done.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they reached the plateau on which the house was
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>built, they entered a gate in the stone wall upon the very
+brink of the precipice, and passing through the enclosed
+space went up to the front entrance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Lieutenant Bruce being at home, did not wait to knock,
+but opened the door and admitted the party.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Dr. Willet led Mrs. Lynn at once into a little study,
+which had been placed at his disposal by the commodore
+on his first arrival at The Breezes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He placed a chair for his companion, and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Remain here, dear Emolyn, where you will be entirely
+free from interruption, while I go and find my old friend
+and break to him the news of your visit—indeed of your
+existence, which will seem to him like a resurrection from
+the dead,” added the doctor, as he pressed her hand and
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady sat back in her chair, trying to gain courage
+for the dreaded interview. And with the strange double
+consciousness which we have all at times experienced, while
+bending all her powers of mind to prepare for the approaching
+ordeal, she also observed the smallest detail in the
+dingy little corner nook in which she waited—the faded
+green carpet and curtains, the old walnut table and chairs,
+the quaint old-fashioned escritoire, half bureau as to its
+lower division, and half bookcase as to its upper, whose
+shelves, seen through the glass doors, displayed a queer
+collection of old, moldy folios.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Dr. Willet went on to the handsome and well-appointed
+library where Commodore Bruce usually passed
+his days in reading, writing, smoking and dozing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He found the old sailor, wrapped in his wadded silk
+dressing-gown and reclining back in his luxurious easy-chair,
+engaged in looking over a newspaper that had just
+been brought to him by his mail messenger.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, doctor! Back so soon? I am glad of it! There
+is nothing at all worth reading in the papers nowadays,
+and I feel as dull as a ship becalmed at sea! Well, how
+is your patient, sir?” demanded the old sailor. Then without
+waiting for reply, he burst out with: “It is disgusting
+to think you left your practice in the city and came here
+for a good rest——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I came here for the pleasure of your company, my dear
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>friend, and for nothing else under the sun!” interrupted
+the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, you came here for the pleasure of my company,
+which, by the by, is a very great and undeserved compliment
+to my powers of entertaining. But let that pass.
+You came for my company, and the rest, you know, is
+thrown in. But instead of a rest, you have found a free
+patient, whose condition requires you to ride about twelve
+miles a day—counting both ways!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No more exercise than is required for my own health.
+Besides, I take an interest in the old woman. She is a
+very old acquaintance of mine, and in former days was
+often my co-laborer, being a professional sick-nurse,” said
+the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, well, as you please, but I think it would be
+pleasanter now for you to take an occasional ride behind
+the hounds with my nephew instead of that dreary daily
+sick call! However, be it as you will; only I hope the old
+crone will get well or go to heaven before long. Is she
+likely to do either?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Can’t say. She is in the very same condition as we
+have seen an old patient of hers and mine, and an old
+friend of yours. I refer to the late Captain Wyndeworth.
+This woman was his sick-nurse at the time that I attended
+him in his last illness, during that dreadful winter preceding
+the trial of Emolyn Wyndeworth. Ah, I have often
+thought what a mercy it was that the old gentleman was
+taken away before that disaster fell upon his house,” murmured
+the doctor, purposely dragging in the subject.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, so have I! That fatal year was full of disaster!
+First came the death of my good old friend, the—the loss
+of my dear boy at sea,” muttered the old commodore in a
+breaking voice—“then, worse than all, the terrible calamities
+that befell Emolyn! Ah, that poor girl!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Did you ever ascertain her fate?” pointedly inquired
+the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no; but of course she is dead; of course she has
+been dead for many years. Emolyn Wyndeworth never
+could have survived the shame of a public trial—and such
+a trial!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But when it ended in her triumphant acquittal!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>“It was not triumphant for her. It was dishonor heaped
+upon dishonor from beginning to end. Her defense was
+based upon the theory of paroxysmal insanity. Bah! the
+verdict of acquittal was rendered upon the same ground.
+Bah! bah! It killed her, sir!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Perhaps not; she certainly had the consciousness of
+innocence to support her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“A very much overrated support, sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You believe her to have been innocent?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘<i>Believe</i>,’ Dr. Willet! I know it, sir! I knew that
+child from her babyhood up. So did you. And I know
+her to have been as innocent as an infant angel. She said
+that she had been married. I don’t <i>believe</i> she had ever
+been married! but I <span class='fss'>KNOW</span> she was married because she
+said so! she who never dreamed it possible to lie! She
+said her young husband was dead, and therefore, of course,
+I knew he was dead because she said so, she whose soul
+was truth! She would not give up the name of her husband
+even to help her own defense. She would not drag
+down the name of an honorable family into the mire into
+which her pure name had been hurled by wicked hands!
+How well I understood her motive! She was a Wyndeworth!
+She came of a race whose men were all honest,
+whose women were all pure! She could not be otherwise.
+Divine lips have told us that ‘men do not gather grapes of
+thorns or figs of thistles.’ Emolyn Wyndeworth was a
+true daughter of her noble line! When put to the test,
+that gentle, sensitive, shrinking girl became heroic! Yes,
+I repeat it, Emolyn Wyndeworth was innocent, and not only
+innocent, but heroic! I would to Heaven that <i>I</i> were as
+guiltless of offense toward her as she was toward all the
+world!” concluded Commodore Bruce, with a deep sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am sure that you can have nothing to reproach yourself
+with in regard to that most unhappy lady,” said Dr.
+Willet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You don’t know anything about it, sir! You don’t
+know anything about it! Why, the very last night before
+my poor boy, Lonny, sailed on that fatal voyage, from
+which he was destined never to return—on that very last
+night, I say, in the most earnest, tender, manly way, perfectly
+wonderful in a mere boy like Lonny, he commended
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>Emolyn Wyndeworth to my care. There were tears in the
+lad’s eyes, sir, as he spoke of her orphaned and desolate
+condition, and told me how he had loved her all his life
+long and hoped some time or other to claim her as his
+wife. At that time, although he was about to leave me for
+a long voyage, I could scarcely forbear smiling at the
+earnestness of the lad in speaking of a prospective wife,
+and commending the waiting bride-elect to my fatherly
+care. Of course, I promised to look after the girl, but
+equally, of course, I forgot my promise—forgot it—ah,
+yes! until the catastrophe brought it to my mind too late!
+too late!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All this the old commodore had told the doctor several
+times before, yet with the fatuity of approaching dotage
+he told it again.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Forgive me for saying that I think you exaggerate
+your responsibility in this matter and torture yourself
+needlessly.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, I don’t! No, I don’t! I will prove to you that I
+don’t by mentioning—that which I never breathed to any
+human being before—that Emolyn Wyndeworth had been
+privately married to my son—that her child was his legitimate
+daughter! There, it is out! Now you know the
+secret of what you call my morbid self-reproach! It was
+my poor, shipwrecked and drowned boy who was the lost
+husband of whom she spoke. It was <i>our</i> name she refused
+to bring down to dishonor when the false accusation of
+child-murder had branded her pure name!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Father in heaven, can this be true?” exclaimed the
+doctor in much agitation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I firmly believe it to be as I have said. She was the
+wife of my son by a private marriage. But when unmerited
+dishonor fell upon her name she resolved, by her
+silence, to shield us from any share in it. She died and
+made no sign.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Commodore Bruce, for Heaven’s sake, declare to me
+what reason you have for believing this!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Every reason that ought to have opened my eyes before
+the catastrophe came! My son’s solemn charge. Her
+deep dejection after his departure. The fact that they
+had been the most intimate friends and playmates from
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>their infancy to youth, so that he had no other girl playmate,
+she no other boy acquaintance. This should have
+enlightened us all if we had not been as blind as bats!
+Then again her declaration that her young husband had
+belonged to a good family and that he was dead. All this
+pointed to Leonidas Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Again, in those last, sad months, when her uncle lay
+slowly dying and I was accustomed to visit him every morning,
+I recall her wistful looks into my face—the looks of
+a poor, hunted fawn—the pleading gaze of a poor, helpless,
+frightened creature that mutely prays for mercy!—the
+looks she would raise to my face as she stood in the front
+hall waiting for me to pass! Why, sir, I tell you, hundreds
+of times I was on the point of speaking to the poor child
+and asking her what her trouble was, but that Malvina
+Warde—may the foul fiend fire her!—was always in the
+way, rattling with her tongue and hurrying me along, so
+that beyond a nod or a word I could get no conversation
+with the girl. And shortly after I went to sea, and did not
+return until the trial of Emolyn Wyndeworth was on. It
+was very short, you know, and after she was acquitted she
+suddenly vanished from sight, nor could all my effort to
+trace her be successful. So many years have passed since
+then that I have quite given her up for dead,” sadly concluded
+the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And yet, for aught you know to the contrary, she may
+be living,” murmured the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Bah!” exclaimed the commodore. “Julius Cæsar may
+be also living, but it must be in another sphere of existence.
+No, the opportunity of saving or helping Emolyn
+Wyndeworth passed out of my hands because I was, in her
+case, too dull of perception, too slow of action. But understand
+this: Even at the time of the trial I did not suspect
+that Emolyn Wyndeworth had been the wife of my son. I
+suspected it afterward, upon reflection, and then, as I recalled
+all the circumstances of the case, I saw them in a
+new light, and my suspicion became conviction and filled
+me with regret, that grew into remorse, for my previous
+dulness and blindness, which had resulted so fatally for
+that poor, forlorn child. Thus, you see, sir, I mourn the
+early and tragic fate of Emolyn Wyndeworth in a sorrow
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>that is without hope,” said the old man, dropping his gray
+head upon his chest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, as we have never had any proof of her death, she
+may be still living!” the doctor ventured again to suggest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore made a movement of disgust and impatience,
+demanding:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If she is <i>not</i> dead, why has no one ever heard anything
+of her in all these years?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Perhaps some one has heard of her,” quietly suggested
+the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Bah!” exclaimed the old sailor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think—I am sure that some one has heard of her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I should like to know who it is, then!” exclaimed the
+commodore incredulously.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is I!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Eh?</span>”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Heard of Emolyn Wyndeworth!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good Heaven! You don’t say so!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I do!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When? Where? How? Speak, sir! Where is she?
+Living? Well?” demanded the excited old man, pouring
+question upon question with impetuous rapidity.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is living, and well, and not very far off,” quietly
+answered the doctor, as he arose, poured out a glass of
+water and made the commodore drink it.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It seems incredible!” exclaimed the old man, as he returned
+the empty goblet to his friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I knew you would be agitated by such news, and I
+tried to prepare you for it,” said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It fills me with joy, and joy does not hurt any one. It
+moves me with gratitude, and that blesses every one. Thank
+Heaven! Oh, thank Heaven! But where is this lady
+now? If she should be within five hundred miles of me,
+I will seek her within a week,” said Commodore Bruce,
+more firmly and calmly than he had yet spoken.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>“She is much nearer than that. She is quite within your
+reach,” calmly replied Dr. Willet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where? Where? Speak, friend! There is no need
+of farther preparation. If you were to tell me she was in
+the next room, it could not startle me <i>now</i>!” exclaimed the
+commodore, unconsciously touching the very truth.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Still the doctor deemed it best to be cautious.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Have you never suspected her possible identity with
+that of the recluse Lady of Edengarden?” significantly inquired
+the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Never! What? The Lady of Edengarden? You don’t
+mean to tell me——” The old man paused and gazed with
+amazement on the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I do. I mean to tell you that Emolyn Wyndeworth
+and the Lady of Edengarden are one and the same,”
+the latter assured him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore dropped his head upon his chest and
+stroked his full gray beard.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is she living there at present?” he at length inquired.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes; though usually she does not live there in the
+winter.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then I will go to see her before twenty-four hours are
+over my head.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There will be no need. Emolyn Wyndeworth has come
+to see you!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Eh!</span>”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Emolyn Wyndeworth has come to see Commodore
+Bruce, her father’s old friend. She only waits your pleasure
+to receive her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where? Where? Where does she wait?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In the little green study at the end of the hall,” replied
+the doctor composedly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The veteran of seventy-six sprang up with the agility
+of a youth of sixteen and dashed out of the library, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Emolyn Wyndeworth here! In this house! Oh, how
+I thank Heaven to have lived for this happiness!”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXX<br> <span class='c006'>THE MEETING</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>A hundred thousand welcomes! I could weep</div>
+      <div class='line'>And I could laugh—I’m light and heavy! Welcome!</div>
+      <div class='line'>A blight begin at the very root of his heart</div>
+      <div class='line'>Who is not glad to see thee! Welcome!</div>
+      <div class='line in36'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Emolyn Wyndeworth! Emolyn, my child, can it be
+possible that I find you again after all these years?” exclaimed
+Commodore Bruce, seizing the hands of the lady
+as she arose and offered them on his entrance into the little
+study.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You <i>are</i> glad to see me, then?” she murmured in low
+and tremulous tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Glad?’ Oh, my Lord!” aspirated the old man with
+all his soul.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Let me sit down,” she breathed in almost inaudible
+tones, as she sank back trembling into her seat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are not much changed; not so much as might have
+been expected. No, indeed, you are not,” he resumed, as
+he stood before her, holding her hands and gazing wistfully,
+tenderly into her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Years of life without smiles, or tears, or frowns, or any
+emotion that could trace a line on cheek or brow, a life in
+marble, a life in death, leaves no vestige of its passage on
+the face or form,” mournfully replied Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, my child, why have you led this life? Why have
+you expatriated and hidden yourself from your friends all
+these years?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You ask me why? Oh, Commodore Bruce!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I suppose I know or can surmise your motive for
+doing so; but, Emolyn, that motive arose from a very morbid
+mind. Oh, child, if you knew how I have ‘sought you,
+sorrowing,’ all these years!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, why should you have taken any interest in one so
+lost?” she sighed, covering her eyes with one hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why? You ask me why?” he inquired, unconsciously
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>repeating her own words. “I will tell you, Emolyn. My
+poor boy, my poor Lonny, with his last words, before sailing
+on that fatal voyage—committed you to my charge—telling
+me that when he should return from his voyage
+he meant to claim you for his wife.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A low moan of pain escaped the lips of the lady, but she
+made no comment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah, Emolyn, would to Heaven I had paid that heed to
+his words which I afterward, but too late, found they deserved!
+But how could I have known?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How, indeed? You knew nothing. Do not reproach
+yourself,” breathed the lady in low, almost inaudible tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I ought to have known, or inquired, or discovered!
+Emolyn, child! what was the meaning of the pleading eyes
+you used to raise to mine when I would pass you in leaving
+Green Point, after a visit to your bed-ridden uncle? Tell
+me, dear! Tell me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It were bootless to tell you now what I had not the
+courage to tell then,” she replied.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And I—hard, cold and blind that I was, I never encouraged
+you to open your heart to me, although I had
+promised my poor boy to watch over you,” groaned the
+commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not reproach yourself,” she repeated. “I might
+never have been able to confide in any man.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yet I should have drawn your secret from you, Emolyn!
+Tell me now, I conjure! In the name of the dead, I conjure
+you, tell me, were you the wife of my son?” solemnly
+demanded the veteran.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She paused a moment and then answered in a low, distinct
+voice:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I was.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore dropped his gray head upon his open
+hands and groaned aloud.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thought so! I thought so! But not until it was too
+late! Not until you had passed out of my reach and
+knowledge entirely. Oh, child! If only you had confided
+in me, what sorrow would have been saved!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He wished to do so as soon as we were married, for
+boy as he was, he had a man’s intelligent and delicate sense
+of honor. He wished to do so, but I was afraid to consent.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>We were married nearly a month before he sailed; and
+every day he pleaded with me to let him confess his marriage;
+but the very idea of doing so frightened and distressed
+me so much that he would yield the point.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Fatal timidity on your side—fatal compliance on his!”
+sighed the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I told you just now not to reproach yourself. I beg you
+now not to reproach me, for I have already suffered the
+bitter fruits of my cowardice, nor <i>him</i>, for he has passed beyond
+our judgment,” solemnly replied Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My child, I am not reproaching—I am only lamenting!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That, too, is vain.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know it; yet, oh, how differently all this might have
+ended had he but confessed your marriage even at the last
+moment!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He was in honor bound to me <i>not</i> to do so. At the
+very last moment he implored me to release him from his
+promise and allow him to tell you and his mother and leave
+me under your protection. But I was afraid to consent
+and sent him away sorrowing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Poor boy! Poor boy! Yet he did what he could. He
+<i>did</i> invoke my protection for you, Emolyn, although he was
+not permitted to use the argument that would have bound
+you to us by owning you as his wife. Ah, what a misfortune!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But I must tell you what more he did, that you may
+know how thoughtful, how loving, how earnest he was.
+On the last night he stayed in his own home he spent the
+hours which should have been given to sleep in writing a
+long letter of confession to you, telling you all the circumstances
+attending our marriage, and invoking your pardon
+of him and protection of me. This letter he inclosed in
+one to me, in which he besought me to seek your presence
+at once; or, if I could not summon courage to do so, at
+least to keep the inclosed letter carefully, so that I might
+be able to present it to you in case I should ever stand in
+need of your friendship——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where is that letter? Where? Why, oh, why, my
+child, did you never deliver it to me?” impetuously demanded
+the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>“At first I was afraid. Afterward, when the greater
+terror overcame the less, I looked for my precious parcel
+and could not find it. My cabinet had been rifled of that
+and of all my correspondence—of everything, indeed, that
+could have afforded the slightest circumstantial evidence
+to the truth of my marriage.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Who was the thief? Who?” indignantly demanded the
+veteran.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have no positive knowledge, and I have no right to
+speak of my suspicions,” replied Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, my child! If, even without those proofs, you could
+have summoned resolution to have come to me and told the
+whole story!” sighed Commodore Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Are you sure that you would have believed me? Yet
+at one time I had resolved to make a full disclosure of my
+relations to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish to Heaven you had; but when was that? Was
+it when you used to watch for me in the hall and look at
+me with large, wistful eyes as I passed out?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no; it was after you had gone away. I had been
+plunged in despair by the news of my husband’s sudden
+death; but it was not until I knew—what, in my ignorance,
+I was long in knowing—that I should become a
+mother, and the fate of an innocent being would depend
+upon mine, I was inspired with the courage to desperation
+and resolved to go away with my faithful nurse to her relatives
+and stay with them until my child’s arrival and your
+return, and then, if the babe lived, to take it to you and
+tell it was your son’s child, and that I, its mother, was
+your son’s widow.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish to Heaven you had done so.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I should have carried out my resolution if the fatal
+catastrophe had not fallen so suddenly upon me. Then
+after the death of my child and the shameful accusation——Oh,
+I cannot speak of this!” exclaimed Emolyn,
+breaking off and dropping her head upon her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know—I know,” murmured the commodore in deep
+emotion—“you acted with the heroism and self-devotion
+of your race and nature. You refused, even for your own
+preservation and vindication, to tell your real story and
+bring our name into the trial.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>“Yet without it I was acquitted and vindicated by all
+but by myself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How, Emolyn, how? What do you mean, my child?”
+inquired the old man in distress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know not—oh, I know not what happened that horrible
+night!” she gasped with a shudder.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You were irresponsible. You are free from reproach.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, let us not talk of it! The thought—the doubt—has
+made me a vagabond and wanderer on the face of the
+earth, trying to hide from the world, to fly from myself.
+Oh, let us not talk of it! Let us talk of something else!”
+She shivered and buried her face in her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They were both painfully silent for a few moments.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length Emolyn raised her head and spoke:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Commodore Bruce——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My dear,” said the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I did not come here with any intention of telling you
+my secret, nor should I ever have told you if you had not
+asked me the direct question.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I only asked you, Emolyn, that I might receive confirmation
+of my own convictions. I am glad and grateful
+that you came to see me and gave me the opportunity of
+making inquiries that have brought out the truth.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yet I should never have had the hardihood to leave
+my seclusion after all these years if it had not been for
+one in whom I take a deep interest. I mean my little
+namesake, Emolyn Palmer, whose acquaintance I have
+recently made.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah!” exclaimed the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am aware that you know her quite well.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes; she passed a week here—a very interesting
+young person. She might have had a permanent home
+with us if it hadn’t been for the folly of my nephew Ronald
+in fancying he had fallen in love with her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is of that ‘folly’ I have come to speak to you. It does
+not seem to me to be folly, but an honest, manly, faithful
+love, likely to last his lifetime,” said Emolyn earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am very sorry to hear you say that. I trust in Heaven,
+for his sake, that it is not true,” gravely replied the old
+man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>“What is your objection to Emolyn Palmer as the wife
+of your nephew?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Objection? My dear lady, how can you ask? My objection
+is not a particular but a general one.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is beautiful.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is graceful.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Certainly.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Amiable and irreproachable in character.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Quite so.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Intelligent and fairly educated.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is all that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And is she not sincerely attached to your nephew and
+yourself, and beloved by both?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, it is true.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And are not all these qualities that you would desire
+to find in the chosen bride of Ronald Bruce?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, my dear lady—all these qualities are to be desired,
+but they are not all that are to be expected in my nephew’s
+wife.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What else would you have, you exacting man?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Wealth and a good social position,” curtly replied the
+commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Emolyn Palmer shall have both,” said the lady quietly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Eh! Emolyn Palmer have wealth and social position?
+How is that possible? You dream, my child!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I do dream, and I mean to realize my dream. The
+child, Emolyn Palmer, has interested me more than any
+person or anything that I have met with for the last seventeen
+years. I feel my heart so drawn out toward her that
+I begin to believe in the possibility of happiness in this life
+even for me, through her! For her sake I have come to
+see you. I told you that in addition to all her personal attractions,
+she should have the necessary ones of wealth and
+social position. Wealth I will give her. I have no children
+nor near relatives to share my fortune. I will, therefore,
+give my little namesake a marriage portion that shall make
+her the equal in fortune to any young lady in this State.
+Her marriage will give her the social position that is required,
+for the wife takes rank from her husband. Thus
+Emolyn Palmer shall have wealth and position added to all
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>her personal attractions. Will you now consent to the engagement
+of these lovers?” earnestly inquired the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore waved his thin white hand to and fro,
+as if gently putting away her arguments, as he replied:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My dearest young friend, that is all benevolent sophistry.
+I do not wish my nephew’s wife to owe her rank to
+her husband’s family alone. A beggar girl might do that.
+No, <i>good birth</i>, even before wealth or personal attractions,
+is what I desire and insist upon in the wife of Ronald.
+And let me tell you, my dear and gentle Emolyn, that this
+and all other desirable attributes are to be found in the lady
+I long ago selected for him—Hermia, my niece. They are
+indeed my co-heirs, and they must marry. There, my
+dear, there is my decision. And now, my Emolyn, you have
+known me of old. You know that when my judgment has
+decided any course of action to be the right one no power
+on earth can move me to alter.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know! I know! That is the reason why I feared you
+so, and shrank from confessing my marriage to you until
+it was too late. Do not fear. I shall not continue to importune
+you, Commodore Bruce,” said the lady in a tone of
+pain.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not be vexed with me, Emolyn, my child. It is inexpressibly
+distressing to me to be obliged to place myself
+in opposition to you on any subject at this our first reunion
+after so long and hopeless a separation. Believe me,
+dear, I appreciate the benevolence of your actions, which
+is in perfect keeping with the tenor of your whole life. I
+approve your kind intentions toward this young girl with
+only one exception——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The only vital one,” murmured Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Be as kind to her as your good heart dictates in all
+things. Give her the advantages of wealth and a higher
+culture. She deserves them, and will put them to good
+use. Do all you please for her, my dear; but do not torment
+yourself or me by trying to bring about a marriage
+between Ronald Bruce and the overseer’s daughter.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Fear no importunity from me, sir. I shall not recur
+to the subject again in your presence,” said the lady in the
+same tone of pain.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now I fear that I have angered you, Emolyn.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>“Oh, no, not angered, only disappointed me,” she replied.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then rising and gathering her India shawl about her,
+she held out her hand and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish you good-morning, sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What? Going? You are not going so early?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks; but I must.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“At least stay to lunch?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Much obliged; but it is impossible.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Let me then introduce you to the ladies of my family.
+My niece and her daughter will be happy to see you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Not for the world. I came not out of my grave to make
+a fashionable call. I came to fulfil a mission, which has
+failed. Let me go in peace.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, my dear, your cousins—Mrs. and Miss Ward—are
+here, my guests. Let me send for them and make
+known your presence,” said the commodore, reaching his
+hand for the bell.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the lady’s hand quickly arrested his.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, on your salvation!” she cried in great excitement.
+“Not for a thousand worlds! Oh, stop! <i>Nothing</i> should
+ever induce me to meet Malvina Warde! <i>Never</i> could I
+bear to look upon her—her, the cause of all my sorrows—my
+enemy—my destroyer!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, well, my dear, you shall not see her! She is no
+great favorite of mine, although she is unhappily my guest.
+Calm yourself, Emolyn. Sit down and let me offer you a
+glass of wine. Do.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, no—nothing. I shall only trouble your boatmen
+to take me back to the island.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They are at your orders, Emolyn,” said the old man,
+once more approaching his hand to the bell.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Again she arrested his motion as she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“One moment. I had nearly forgotten an important
+point. But the mere mention of that woman so maddens
+me that I forget everything else for the time being! Commodore
+Bruce, what I must say and to impress upon you
+is this—that I do not wish my name mentioned, or my
+existence revealed to any human being, either in this house
+or out of it. Like Noah’s weary dove, I have folded my
+wings to rest in peace in the ark of my island. But the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>same day that reveals my name and identity to this neighborhood
+sees me go forth again a homeless wanderer over
+the face of the earth!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will keep your secret, my poor, morbid Emolyn; but—Ronald
+and Willet, who know who you are?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I can trust them as I trust myself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then you are safe.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now please ring the bell and order the boat for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Certainly. I may come to see you at your ‘Island of
+Calm Delights?’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I shall always welcome you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Again the old man approached his hand to the bell; but
+he was again prevented from ringing it.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXI<br> <span class='c006'>A STARTLING VISITOR</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Much in the stranger’s mien appears</div>
+      <div class='line'>To justify suspicious fears.</div>
+      <div class='line'>On his dark face a scorching clime,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And toil, hath done the work of time—</div>
+      <div class='line'>Roughened his brow, his temples bared.</div>
+      <div class='line'>And sable hairs with silver shared;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Yet left—what age alone could tame—</div>
+      <div class='line'>The lip of pride, the eye of flame.</div>
+      <div class='line'>The lip that terror never blenched,</div>
+      <div class='line'>The eye where teardrop never quenched</div>
+      <div class='line'>The flash severe of swarthy glow</div>
+      <div class='line'>That scorned pain and mocked at woe.</div>
+      <div class='line in28'><span class='sc'>Walter Scott.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>The interruption proceeded from the voice of the hall
+footman, saying in a rather insolent tone:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, then, you can step in here, my man! There is no
+one in here, and you can go in here and wait till I go and
+tell my master that you want to see him,” adding in a
+lower tone: “There’s nothing in there he can steal, I
+reckon, ’cept ’tis some moldy old books.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>The door was thrown open, and while the steps of the
+footman were heard retreating a most disreputable-looking
+tramp entered the study and stood boldly up before the
+party therein.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Now while the commodore and the lady are gazing in
+stupefied astonishment at this impudent intruder, I will endeavor
+to describe him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He was a tall, dark, gaunt man, whose long, thin, swarthy
+face was hedged in by a wild, neglected thicket of grizzled
+black hair and beard, and whose fierce, burning black eyes
+were overhung by thick, shaggy black brows. He wore an
+old suit of clothes that might have once been of any color,
+but was now of none; around his neck a dingy woolen
+scarf; on his feet a pair of broken shoes; in his hand a torn
+hat. He was altogether a wayworn, travel-strained, dilapidated
+and dangerous-looking customer, such as one would
+not like to meet on a dark night or on a deserted road.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore regarded him wrathfully, frowningly—the
+lady, curiously, wistfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Who in the demon are you? What jail have you broken
+out of? And what in the fiend’s name do you want here?”
+sternly demanded the veteran; while the lady leaned forward,
+gazing on the man with a strange, intense and breathless
+interest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Good heavens! Do you not know me, then?” demanded
+the poor tramp in a voice full of anguish.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No! Never saw you in all the days of my life before,
+and never wish to see you again! Begone!” exclaimed the
+veteran; while the lady half arose from her seat, stared at
+the stranger with eyes that widened and widened in amazement,
+with lips breathlessly apart and color coming and
+going rapidly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Did you not get my letter, written from Marseilles,
+then?” inquired the stranger.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What in the demon’s name are you talking about?
+You are drunk, man, or mad! Leave the house instantly!”
+exclaimed the irate old gentleman, starting up as if he
+would have ejected the intruder by main force, had he been
+strong enough.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, my soul! my soul! Do <i>you</i> not know me—Lynny?”
+pleaded the wanderer, turning his wild, sad,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>prayerful eyes on the intense, listening, breathless, eager
+face of the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The question broke the spell that bound her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Saved!</span>” she cried, and her piercing shriek rang
+through and through the house as she started up, threw
+herself into the arms of the tramp and fainted dead away.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The sight and sound, but not the meaning, of this action
+met the dulled senses of the aged veteran.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Starting to his feet in a fury, he thundered forth:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What in the demon do you mean, you cursed villain,
+by breaking into this room and frightening a lady into
+fits? Lay her down on that sofa this instant, and don’t
+presume to touch her again! Leave the house! Begone!
+If you stop another second, Satan burn you! I’ll send you
+to the county jail for six months! I’m in the commission
+of the peace, and I’ll do it!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes. I had best go for the present. She has fainted.
+Call her women to her,” said the tramp in a gentle tone,
+as he laid his burden down with tender care upon the sofa.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If you don’t take yourself out of this room in double-quick
+time, you tramping thief, you’ll find yourself in a
+pair of handcuffs on the road to prison before you know
+it!” roared the commodore, as he seized and jerked the bell
+rope violently.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But the sad wanderer had already left the study.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore continued to ring the bell furiously, peal
+upon peal, until the hall footman rushed in with alarm.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Go after that tramping vagabond and kick him out
+of the house! Then call all the dogs and set them on him
+and hunt him off the premises! Do you hear?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir,” replied the man as he went out, dismayed,
+to give place to Wren, the little page, whom the violent
+ringing of the bell had also brought to the scene.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Water!</span>” cried the commodore, who was now engaged
+in trying to recover the fainting woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The boy vanished and soon reappeared with a silver
+pitcher and goblet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore poured some on his hand and threw it in
+the face of the lady and waited for the effect, but she showed
+no sign of consciousness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>“Brandy! From the beaufet! In the library!” he cried
+in growing alarm.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The page ran away and soon re-entered with a decanter
+and glass.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore poured out a little of the brandy, and,
+holding up the head of the helpless woman, tried to force
+a few drops between her lips, but the liquid only tippled
+over the surface.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t know what on earth to do for her! She forbid
+me to call the ladies to see her before she fainted, and it
+seems hardly fair to do so now that she cannot defend herself!
+And I don’t know how to recover her, not I!” cried
+the commodore in despair. Then turning furiously on the
+footman, who had re-entered the study, he demanded:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Did you do as I ordered? Did you kick that vagrant
+out and set the dogs on him?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir,” replied the man, unhesitatingly telling a fib,
+for he had not sought for the poor tramp with any such
+cruel intention, as was afterward proved.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Served him right! Glad to hear it!” grunted the old
+man, as he recommenced his efforts to recover his patient,
+but in vain. Suddenly he remembered the presence of the
+physician in the house, and wondered he had not thought
+of him before.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Go and ask Dr. Willet to be kind enough to step here
+immediately,” he said.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If you please, sir, Dr. Willet has gone out,” said the
+footman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Gone out! the deuce! How unlucky! Where has he
+gone?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If you please, sir, to the Wilderness Manor-house. Mr.
+John Palmer he came all in a hurry for de doctor, sir, to
+go to the ageable old woman what is dying dere and
+wants to see the doctor afore she goes, which dey don’t think
+she can last another day, sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How very unfortunate!” exclaimed the old man, who
+never ceased from his ineffectual efforts to recover his patient.
+“I do not know where to turn! She will die, and
+all on account of that cursed tramp!” Then bursting forth
+like a storm upon the head of the footman, he violently demanded:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>“And what did <i>you</i> mean, you rascal, by sending that
+ruffian in here to frighten this poor lady to death? Yes,
+to <i>death</i>, you villain! And when she dies I’ll have you
+hanged for murder! I will, by my life! Why don’t you
+answer me, you scoundrel? What did you mean by showing
+that burglar, that robber, that cut-throat, into this room
+to kill this lady?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“’Deed, ’deed, I ’elare to my Judge, marster, I never
+knowed nobody was in here, which dere almost never is
+nobody in here; and I didn’t know nothing about the lady
+wisiter, as she must a-come on along of Dr. Willet or Lieutenant
+Bruce, ’cause I didn’t let her in myself and didn’t
+know nothing about it, sir; and likewise thought as you
+was in the libery. And as for the tramp, sir, he did say
+as he wanted to speak to you werry particular, to bring
+you news of a long-absent friend——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“An excuse to beg! An excuse to beg! Or to swindle!
+Or to extort money! What did the ruffian call himself?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He ’clined to give no name, sir, but said how you’d
+know him when you seed him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“An impudent liar! I never set eyes on him before.
+I wish I had committed him!” exclaimed the old man, who
+was all this time diligently chafing the temples of the unconscious
+woman with hartshorn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So I just put him in here to wait, sir, where I thought
+there wa’n’t nobody sitting, nor likewise nothing to steal,
+’cept ’twas them old, worm-eaten books in the old screwter.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Worm-eaten books, you villain! My precious blackletter
+copies of the early Christian fathers? If the thief
+had gone off with any of them, your hide should have paid
+for it! Oh, Heaven! No change in her yet! I <i>must</i> have
+woman’s help here,” said the commodore, breaking off in his
+abuse of the servant and attentively regarding the marble
+face below him. “See here, sir! Go and ask my sister
+to come here immediately! Don’t alarm her, you rascal!
+Don’t say a word about the fainting lady! Just deliver
+my message.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The footman, glad to escape, hurried out of the room to
+obey this order.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While he was gone the old man continued to chafe the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>temples or beat the hands of his patient and groan over her
+and curse the tramp.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few minutes the widowed sister came in, saying
+pleasantly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Did you want me, brother?” Then seeing the motionless
+form of a woman extended on the sofa, she started and
+exclaimed: “Who is that?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come here, Margaret. Don’t scream nor cry, nor above
+all, don’t faint. One fainting woman is as much as I can
+get along with at one time,” said the commodore, taking
+his sister by the arm and leading her to the sofa.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But who is this lady? What ails her? How came she
+here?” inquired the puzzled woman, bending over the unconscious
+form.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t you recognize her? Look again,” said the old
+man uneasily.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, I do not,” replied the lady, after a careful scrutiny.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I believe you are right; for now I come to think of it,
+you never met her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But who is she?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man hesitated for one weak moment, and then
+loyally answered:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This lady is Emolyn Bruce, the widow of my poor, dear
+Lonny.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The widow’s brown eyes opened wide in amazement as
+she answered in a low, frightened voice:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I never knew that Leonidas had been married!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>I</i> did! I knew it long ago; but I had good reason to
+suppose that his poor young wife had not long survived his
+loss. She has reappeared, however, I thank Heaven! And
+here she lies, fainting, dying, for aught I know. Margaret,
+dear woman, don’t stop to ask another question, but help
+me to save her!” anxiously exclaimed the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Controlling the extreme curiosity awakened by the situation,
+the lady knelt by the side of the sofa and began to
+loosen the sufferer’s clothes to facilitate breathing.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She must be got to bed at once. The parlor chamber
+happens to be in order. We will convey her there. Ring
+for two women to come and help to lift her,” were the first
+words with which the widow broke the silence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>The commodore complied with this direction, and then
+came back to the side of his sister, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“For Heaven’s sake, Margaret, let all be done tenderly
+and very quietly. There must not be a nine days’ wonder
+created in the house.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Of course not. I should deprecate such a state of
+things as much as you could.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And, Margaret, you have a heart. I need not, therefore,
+beg you to be very gentle with this suffering girl when
+she recovers her consciousness.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Be sure that I will treat her as I would treat my own
+child,” said the widow, and her sympathetic face confirmed
+the truth of her words.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Go and send Dorcas and Lydia here,” said the commodore
+to the little page who appeared in answer to the
+bell.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The child ran on his errand, and two strong colored
+women made their appearance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Under the lady’s instructions Emolyn Bruce was tenderly
+lifted and conveyed to the parlor chamber, where she was
+undressed, clothed in a white wrapper and put to bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old commodore, who had followed the party to the
+chamber door without daring to enter, hovered on the outside,
+waiting for news.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few minutes, however, his sister opened the door
+and beckoned him to come in.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She led him to the side of the bed, where Emolyn lay
+as white and motionless as a marble effigy on a marble
+tomb.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish to consult you, brother,” whispered the widow,
+as they stood together looking down on the beautiful pale
+face before them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you think there is any danger, Margaret?” anxiously
+inquired the veteran.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, for I have known women to lay in fainting fits
+much longer than this and recover without injury; but her
+breath scarcely dims the glass held to her lips, and her
+pulse is scarcely perceptible; and I think you had better
+call Dr. Willet.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The deuce of it all is that Willet has gone to the Wilderness
+Manor-house to see that old paralytic. He could not
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>be brought back before night, when he will come back of his
+own accord. Meanwhile what <i>shall</i> we do, Margaret?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Use the means within our reach and wait the issue. It
+must have been some terrible shock that threw her into
+this state. May I <i>now</i> inquire what it was, brother? You
+need not tell me if you do not wish to,” said the widow.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It was a cursed tramp!—a black-visaged, red-eyed, elflocked
+cut-throat, who looked like a fiend from the Inferno,
+with all the sulphurous smoke and fire hanging around
+him! I wish I had a hand on him now! I’d break his
+diabolical neck and send him back to Tartarus, where he
+belongs!” wrathfully exclaimed the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hush! She moves, I think,” said the lady; and both
+watchers bent eagerly over the entranced form.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But they were mistaken. She did not move, nor, though
+her attendants continued their efforts to recover her, did
+she show any sign of consciousness until nearly an hour had
+passed away.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When at length she sighed and stirred, Dorcas raised her
+head while the lady placed a glass of wine to her lips so
+that she mechanically swallowed the stimulant.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Revived by the wine, she opened her eyes, sat up in bed
+and gazed around in confusion for a moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then a paroxysm of sadness seemed to sweep over her.
+She pressed her hands upon her eyes, upon her brows, upon
+her temples, pushed back her hair and stared around with
+starting orbs and open mouth, and then suddenly shrieked
+forth:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where is he? Oh, where is he? Where? Where?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He is gone, my dear. Don’t be afraid. Calm yourself.
+It is all right,” answered the commodore soothingly; for he
+thought her excitement was caused by revived terror of
+the tramp.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At the words of the old man she turned her wildly roving
+eyes on him with an intense stare of astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Gone! Gone! Did you say gone? Oh, <i>where</i>, has he
+gone? <i>Why</i> did you let him go?” she cried with frantic
+eagerness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wish I hadn’t. I wish I had committed him to prison,
+only there wasn’t sufficient grounds. But don’t be frightened.
+Compose yourself, my dear. You are just as safe
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>from him as if he was in prison. He will never come back
+to bother us, after being kicked out the house by the servant
+and hunted off the land by the dogs!” said the commodore,
+laying his hand tenderly on the head of the excited woman,
+who had not for one instant ceased to rave.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But she dashed it off, fiercely exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, you cruel, ruthless, remorseless man! I feared you
+would do so! I feared you would! <i>That’s why I never
+told you!</i> Why he could never persuade me to tell you,
+you wicked, vindictive man——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is hysterical, she does not know what she says,”
+said the widow, while Emolyn continued to rave in growing
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is delirious, quite so! I wish Willet would return,”
+sighed the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am <i>not</i> delirious! It is <i>you</i> who are mad with hatred
+and revenge—unnatural, monstrous hatred and revenge,
+after all these years! Go bring him back! If he had been
+the prodigal son, you should have received him! But he
+was no prodigal! Not even a prodigal! And you turned
+him out! You hunted him off! Go bring him back! Go
+bring him back if you wish to escape perdition!” she continued
+to cry in what seemed to her attendants a frenzy of
+insanity.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You see she had been talking about her husband when
+this cut-throat ruffian came in and frightened her into fits,
+and now she has got all mixed up in her impressions,”
+whispered the commodore, while the excited woman continued
+to rave in the same strain without a moment’s cessation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This <i>must</i> be stopped. I shall give her a dose of
+morphia,” whispered his sister; and she rose and left the
+room for the expressed purpose.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And Emolyn raved on, bitterly reproaching the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mad people always fly in the faces of their best friends,”
+said the old man, as he continued his efforts to calm the
+frantic woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The widow returned, bringing a small glass of port wine,
+with which she had mixed a dose of morphia.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Here, my poor girl, drink this and compose yourself,”
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>she said in her gentlest and most persuasive tones, as she
+held the glass to Emolyn’s lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If I do, will you send at once and bring him back?”
+demanded Emolyn, fixing her wild, excited, pleading eyes
+on the face of the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Indeed I will</i>,” she answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Because he can go with me to the island, where we will
+live like Adam and Eve in Eden—<i>without the serpent</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So you shall, my dear, <i>if you wish</i>,” said the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn took the glass, drank the contents and threw
+herself back on the pillow.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few moments she was quiet, in a few more she was
+asleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now,” said the lady, “you must send and seek that
+tramp and have him brought back to the house.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In the name of Heaven, <i>why</i>?” demanded the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“First, because I promised, and I will not break a promise,
+even when it is given to humor a delirious patient; and,
+secondly, because I do think <i>there is more in this than appears</i>,”
+replied the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What should there be in it?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I don’t know. But find the man and bring him here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore expostulated and swore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady persisted and gained her point.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The order was given and the servants started on their
+quest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn slept on, hour after hour watched by the widow.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The servants returned from their long and careful
+search with the news that the tramp could not be found.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why are you so anxious to have that ruffian brought
+back?” demanded the provoked commodore of his sister, as
+they stood together beside the sleeper.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have told you the reason,” said the lady—“that
+Emolyn shall be satisfied.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXII<br> <span class='c006'>THE TRAMP’S STORY</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line in4'>Of most disastrous chances,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Of moving accidents by flood and field,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Of being taken by the insolent foe</div>
+      <div class='line'>And sold to slavery.</div>
+      <div class='line in30'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Better so,” sighed the poor tramp to himself, as, when
+ejected from the study, he paused in the front hall, which
+happened for the moment to be deserted. “Yes, better so.
+I came too suddenly upon them, and they had not got my
+letter. I did not mean to shock them so; but what did that
+blundering negro mean by springing me upon them in that
+startling manner? He told me there was no one in the
+study. Well, possibly he thought so. It can’t be helped
+now. I must be patient, though it seems harder to wait
+minutes now than it was to wait years in the hopeless
+past.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then instead of leaving the house, as the commodore had
+peremptorily commanded him to do, the “cut-throat” threw
+himself down into a chair, dropped his hat by his side, and
+stretched out his limbs with the air of a man who meant
+to remain and make himself at home, while he continued
+his mental soliloquy:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The man I met on the road and questioned about the
+family told me there was an old Dr. Willet on a visit here—our
+old family physician, of course. If I could only catch
+sight of him now and make myself known, I could procure
+a decent suit of clothes before presenting myself to any
+one else. But would he recognize me? ‘Ay, there’s the
+rub.’ The old man did not; but then his sight is dimmed
+by age. Ah, he has grown very aged since I saw him last—more
+aged even than his years would warrant—not in
+temper, though! Whew! what a fury he was in when he
+turned me out! He would have hurled a chair at me and
+broken my head if I had hesitated another moment! It
+was hard to go and leave her fainting there, but I know
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>to have stayed would have made matters so much worse,
+even for her. How lovely she looked! Yet colorless as
+marble, with the traces of sorrow on her beautiful face!
+<i>She</i> recognized me, my love! my own——Hallo, who
+comes here? Some one who will make me welcome or show
+me the door?” asked the tramp to himself as he saw a white-haired
+old gentleman slowly descending the stairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is Dr. Willet! He has grown gray since I saw him
+last, but I should know that eagle’s beak of a nose of his
+anywhere under the sun. I’ll stop him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The good physician was about to pass the stranger with
+a kindly nod when the latter accosted him:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dr. Willet.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, my friend, what can I do for you?” inquired the
+kind-hearted physician, very naturally supposing that his
+professional services were required by some poor patient.
+And he stopped.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sir,” said the tramp very gravely, “I wish you, if you
+please, to look at me well and tell me if you remember me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The doctor, surprised and puzzled by this address, looked
+long and wistfully into the face of the stranger, first to see
+if he could recognize him, secondly to see if he was mad or
+drunk.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well?” queried the tramp in an anxious tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As far as I can recollect, I never met you in my life before;
+though I may have done so in some hospital, where in
+many years I have treated many transient patients. Was
+it there I made your acquaintance?” inquired the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, I was never in a hospital since I was born, and I
+was never a patient of yours, doctor—though, indeed, I
+believe you were the very first to introduce me to my nearest
+relations and friends on the occasion of my first appearance
+in this world, some thirty-five years ago,” said the tramp,
+with a gleam of that native, irrepressible humor which
+years of servitude and sorrow had not been able to extinguish.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The doctor looked at him long and seriously, and then
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am responsible for many such introductions, my
+friend; though I cannot be expected to remember the faces
+of all to whom I officiated as gentleman usher. But you
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>appear to be in need. Tell me how I can best help you and
+I will do so willingly.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am no invalid and no beggar, Dr. Willet! I ask only
+for recognition. I can command everything else,” said the
+tatterdemalion, drawing himself up with dignity.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lord bless my soul alive!” exclaimed the astonished
+and bewildered doctor, as he put on his spectacles and
+looked again at this <i>strange</i> stranger, who looked like a
+gypsy and talked like a king.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The tramp bore the scrutiny well.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come nearer the light, sir,” he said, moving toward the
+open, sunny back door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Can’t you tell me who you are at once, man? Only
+mention your name, and if I ever heard if before it will
+bring you to my memory,” said Dr. Willet, as he followed
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, sir; I must not name myself to you. I wish <i>you</i>
+to do that first. I wish to test your memory and prove my
+own identity. Come, sir, I will stand facing the open door.
+You will please place yourself in the most favorable position
+and examine my features under the full light of the
+sun.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lord bless my soul alive, what does it all mean?” again
+exclaimed Dr. Willet, as he planted himself within two
+feet of the stranger, adjusted his glasses and stared at
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, sir, be kind enough to look in my eyes, for they
+change least of all. And while you do so, I may prompt
+your memory a little——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am perplexed, but not in despair,” murmured the
+doctor to himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You knew me from infancy to manhood. Then you
+lost sight of me,” continued the tramp.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lord—have——” slowly began the doctor, but the
+words died on his lips as he stared with reviving recollection
+of the speaker.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am the son of one of the oldest and dearest of your
+friends——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mercy on——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Missing for many years——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Our souls!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>“Falsely supposed to have been lost at sea——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>You are Lonny Bruce!</span>” cried the doctor, reeling back
+as if he had been shot.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I am Lonny Bruce! Now don’t <i>you</i> go and faint—that’s
+a good fellow! Brace up!” exclaimed the tramp,
+with half a laugh.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lon—ny Bruce!” reiterated the doctor, as he leaned
+against the wall which had stopped him in his backward
+reel—“Lon—ny Bruce! And you are really alive?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I rather think I am; but are <i>you really</i> sure you recognize
+me? Because, you see, if you want any of the proofs
+usually required on such occasions—the ripe strawberry
+on my breast, or the tattooed anchor on my back, or any
+other birthmark or branded scar, why, it will be very awkward,
+for I haven’t such a thing about me—no, not even so
+much as a mole. Nature and Fortune left all that out.
+So it is extremely important that you should be able to
+identify me without their help. Are you sure you know
+me now?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes; I should know you among a thousand,” replied
+the doctor, who, still leaning for support against the wall,
+continued to stare at the returned exile.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Could you swear to me if called upon to do so?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“On a stack of Bibles as high as the Pyramids of
+Egypt.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“One will do,” said Lonny.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But how did you escape? Where have you been these
+seventeen years? Why didn’t you come home long ago
+or write? Have you seen your father?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Whist! Whist! for Heaven’s sake! To answer a tithe
+of your questions, doctor, would keep me here all day
+long. Now that you see and know me, you must perceive
+that I am in want of everything and everything else. First
+and most of all a bath, a barber and a clean shirt. I must
+be metamorphosed into a Christian before I present myself
+again to my old father, when, it is to be hoped, he will
+acknowledge his son. And then in good time, dear friend,
+I will satisfy your curiosity. Oh! you shall hear a story
+as long and as full of adventure as the Arabian Nights
+Entertainments! Oh, what a fireside treat you will have
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>this winter if you stay with us! But come. Are you going
+to help me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The doctor, who had been thinking profoundly while the
+returned man spoke, now looked up and asked:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why not go to your father just as you are?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Like the prodigal son! Lord bless you, so I did! But
+the old gentleman didn’t fall on my neck and kiss me worth
+a cent! He didn’t know me from the king of the Cannibal
+Islands! He stormed and threatened me with the constable
+and a prison if I did not march double-quick! I obeyed
+him and an instinct of self-preservation and left the room.
+To have remained another minute would have been unwholesome.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah! if I were blind, I should know you now for Lonny
+Bruce! Should know you from that buoyancy of spirit that
+no misfortune could repress,” said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, but I want my father to know me,” said the
+tramp.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, I will try to help you. Come with me,”
+said the doctor; and he led the way to the long drawing-room,
+which was now closed and vacant and never opened
+or tenanted except on “high days and holidays.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come in here, where no one will think of intruding on
+you, and remain while I go in search of your Cousin Ronald,”
+said the doctor, as he opened the door and preceded
+the stranger into the apartment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My Cousin Ronald! What! The little lad I left in the
+schoolroom when I went to sea? Is he in the house?” inquired
+Lonny, with a gleam of delight in his dark eyes,
+as he entered the room and dropped into the nearest easy-chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes; but he is not a little lad now, by any manner
+of means! He is even a bigger lad than you, if anything.
+I will send him to you at once. He will take you to his
+room and attend to all your wants. Unluckily, Lonny, I
+must leave you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Must you? I am sorry. I would like the circle of
+friends to be complete to-day,” said Leonidas with a look
+of disturbance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, so should I; but I am called to an old patient
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>of mine who is lying dangerously ill at the Wilderness
+Manor-house. At the moment you stopped me I was even
+then on my way to join the messenger who was waiting in
+his wagon to take me away.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, indeed, I see that you have no time to spare; so
+don’t let me detain you,” said the young man with visible
+reluctance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, not a moment more even to bestow on such a joyful
+arrival as yours. Lord bless my soul! how strange all
+this is! I never was so unwilling to obey a professional
+call in my life. However, I will dispatch Ronald to you
+immediately.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So saying the good doctor hurried out of the drawing-room
+and upstairs to the private apartment of Lieutenant
+Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Time being too precious to permit much ceremony, he
+entered without knocking, and found the young gentleman
+sitting at his table absorbed in writing a letter—to Em.,
+most likely, as he was so deeply engaged as not to be disturbed
+even by the bustling entrance of the old physician.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Lieutenant!</span>” exclaimed the latter.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, doctor,” cried the young man, starting to his feet.
+“What news? Has the lady succeeded in bringing my
+uncle to reason?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The lady is still with your uncle, I believe, though I
+don’t know. But I haven’t come about your sweetheart,
+Ronald, but about something of more pressing importance;
+and I haven’t time to break the news, so you must brace
+yourself at once for a severe shock. Are you braced?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes,” answered the young man, turning white as death
+and setting his teeth firmly; for he knew not what disastrous
+stroke he was to be called upon to bear. “Yes, I am
+ready.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, then, think of Alexander Selkirk, Robinson
+Crusoe, La Parouse, Captain John Riley, the Swiss Family
+Robinson, the four Russian Sailors, the——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In the name of Heaven, man, speak!” exclaimed the
+lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“—And Lonny Bruce! there, it’s out!” said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What in the world do you mean?” demanded the young
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>officer, wondering if the staid old physician, for the first
+time in his life, had taken a glass too much.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Haven’t I told you? Lonny Bruce has come home.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“WHAT!” cried Ronald, starting to his feet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lonny Bruce, so long supposed to have been lost at sea,
+has come home, safe and sound, as many a missing man
+has done before him!” repeated the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald stared as if his eyes would have started from
+their sockets.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you hear me? Can’t you take it in yet? I tell you
+Lonny Bruce has come home! He is in this house at this
+present time; I have seen him and spoken with him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do I——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, you do. You hear exactly right!” exclaimed the
+doctor, impatiently interrupting the bewildered speaker.
+“You are not dreaming nor are you mad; neither am I!
+You are wide awake and in your right mind, and so am I
+who tell you all this strange news. Now listen, Ronald
+Bruce, for I have got to hurry off to old Nancy Whitlock,
+who is in extremity. John Palmer has been waiting to take
+me to the Wilderness in his wagon for half an hour or more,
+so I have no time for further explanation. Lonny Bruce
+is below. No one except you and myself dreams of his
+presence in the house. You will find him in the long drawing-room
+needing all sorts of attention. Rouse yourself!
+Go to him! Rise to the occasion, man!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>So saying the doctor hurried off, leaving the young lieutenant
+standing there in a state of stupefaction from which
+indeed he found it difficult to rise.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The rumbling of the wagon wheels that carried the doctor
+off was the first sound that broke the spell that bound him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then he started like one awakened from a dream, walked
+downstairs and opened the door leading into the long drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The place was half dark, for all the window shutters
+were closed; so the young lieutenant walked in slowly, peering
+curiously to the right and left.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIII<br> <span class='c006'>WELCOME</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“Oh, it fills my soul with joy</div>
+      <div class='line'>To greet my friends once more.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>“Here I am! Here is your disreputable-looking cousin!
+I had better proclaim my name and rank, lest the good
+doctor has not prepared you to meet a ragamuffin!” said a
+voice from a remote corner as tall and shadowy figure arose
+and emerged from the darkness.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lieutenant threw open a window-shutter, let in a
+flood of light, and turned at once to meet his kinsman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are Leonidas Bruce! Welcome! It seems incredible—impossible!
+but you <i>are</i> Leonidas Bruce! I know you
+at once by your eyes and smile. Welcome! Welcome!
+Thank Heaven, you have lived to come back to us, though
+at so late a day, and like one from the grave. Welcome!
+Welcome! Welcome!” exclaimed Ronald Bruce as he heartily
+shook both his cousin’s hands. If he had been of any
+other Christian nation than English or American he would
+have embraced and kissed his restored kinsman. But his
+greeting was felt to be sufficiently heartful.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Tears sprang to Lonny’s eyes. For a few moments he
+could not speak at all. Then he said, with much emotion:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are the very first who has welcomed me home,
+warmly and without doubt. My father drove me from his
+presence. One nearer and dearer fainted at the sight of
+me. Good Dr. Willet mistook me for a beggar and offered
+me alms. Only <i>you</i> knew me and welcome me at
+once. But are you quite <i>sure</i> you know me?” inquired
+Lonny with morbid and touching anxiety.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Quite sure. I never forget a face. Besides, your portrait,
+taken just before you went away, has been familiar to
+me from boyhood up; and you have not changed so much
+from that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But my father did not know me at all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“His sight is very dim; besides, he was not prepared
+to expect you, as I was.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>“Dr. Willet did not know me at first, though he recognized
+me afterwards.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“His vision is also somewhat impaired by age, though
+not so much as your father’s, and, besides, <i>he</i> did not expect
+to see you, either, as I did.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I wrote from Marseilles; but it seems my letter never
+came to hand.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The foreign mails are notoriously irregular; so are the
+country mails; between them both your letter has been delayed
+or miscarried. But come, Lonny! Though I am
+devoured with curiosity, I will not ask you a single question,
+for you seem to be in urgent need of rest and refreshment,”
+said Ronald Bruce, turning toward the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stay! Stay! If by refreshment you mean food, I do
+not require any. I got a substantial meal from a hospitable
+farmer on the Grey Rock Road. What I do need, as I explained
+to Dr. Willet, is a bath, a barber, and a fresh suit
+of clothes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You shall have them all as expeditiously as possible.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Take me to your own room. You are at home here, I
+suppose.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes; so are you; though the folks don’t know it as yet.
+But come with me, so that I can attend to your wants.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Lonny turned to follow his cousin.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Just as they were about to pass into the hall Ronald saw
+his Aunt Margaret descend the stairs and pass into the
+little green study. He held Lonny back until she had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That was our aunt. I did not want her to see you. No
+one must see you till you are dressed. Come now,” said
+Ronald as he led the way upstairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Just as they passed into the lieutenant’s room a door on
+the opposite side opened and Mrs. Bruce came out and
+crossed the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That was my mother. Now we are safe from observation
+at last,” said Ronald as he closed the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>These were the only risks they ran of discovery.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As soon as they found themselves alone, Ronald turned
+to his cousin and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I know you do not wish to be seen by any one, not even
+by a servant, until you are transfigured and renewed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>“No, indeed,” replied Lonny earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“All right; then I will lock the door and be your valet
+myself!” said Ronald as he went and turned the key in
+the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now look in here, Lonny,” he continued, opening an
+inner door. “Here is a bathroom, with every possible convenience
+for the toilet. Go in there and make ready, while
+I lay out your clothes. I am a little larger than you, but I
+guess mine will do for the present. Stay, however, I have
+a thought!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What is it?” inquired Lonny.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“An inspiration, my dear fellow!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Of what description?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You shall hear anon.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And with these words Ronald unlocked the door and
+passed out, carefully closing it behind him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Lonny threw himself into a chair and waited, wondering
+whether he or his friends were more eccentric than the rest
+of the world.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>His wonder was not lessened when Ronald reappeared,
+lugging in that life-sized portrait of Lonny that had been
+taken in his midshipman’s uniform, just before he went to
+sea.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald locked the door carefully and then stood the
+picture on the floor, leaning against it, and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you know that boy?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I <i>used</i> to know him some seventeen years ago, and a
+sad dog he was, to be sure! He came to no good, I dare
+say,” replied Lonny with a rueful smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, <i>that</i>,” said the lieutenant, rapping on the canvas,
+“was the last his friends saw of him, was it not?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, <i>this</i>,” said Ronald, again rapping the canvas—“or
+something very <i>like</i> this, must be the first his friends
+see of him again! In other words, Lonny Bruce, you must
+dress to match your portrait of seventeen years ago, so that
+your friends may know you at a glance. Do you understand?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, but it will be difficult.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Not at all! Listen now. I have the recipe, the pattern,
+the programme, all cut, dried, and laid out! After you
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>have had your bath and put on fresh underclothing, we
+must take the plantation barber so far into our confidence
+as to let him cut and shave that bandit-like black beard of
+yours, and trim those unkempt elf locks into civilized proportions.
+Then you must put on my last midshipman’s
+uniform, which is quite new and fresh, and which, having
+been discarded by me two years ago, when I was promoted,
+will probably fit you perfectly.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And so, when that toilet is completed, I shall come forth
+a new, revised, and improved edition of the Midshipman
+Lonny Bruce of seventeen years ago?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Exactly.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“An excellent idea! Thanks, Ronald! I am impatient
+to act upon it. My father will be sure to recognize me
+now,” said Lonny.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“All right,” laughed Ronald.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He then proceeded to open his wardrobe and bureau and
+to lay out from them all necessary articles of apparel required
+by the wanderer. Lastly, he unlocked a lumber
+closet and took from its peg the midshipman’s uniform.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All these things he lifted in his arms and conveyed into
+the communicating bathroom, saying as he came out:
+“Now all is ready for you in there, Lonny. Go in and
+get ready. I will go down and send the barber up here to
+you, with directions to wait in this room until you want
+him. Then I will go and find your father and break the
+news of your return to him. But, for Heaven’s sake, Lonny,
+do not leave this apartment until I come back for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Of course I will not,” replied the latter.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Lieutenant Bruce then left the room and went slowly
+down the stairs, asking himself how on earth he should
+ever be able to tell the commodore without killing him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In the hall below he met his own servant, and to him he
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Timothy, go and find the barber, and take him to my
+room, and tell him to wait there until he is called. There is
+a gentleman there who will require his services.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir. Did you hear, sir, about the robber what
+broke inter de house dis morning and drawed a pistol on
+Marse Commodore in de little green study, and scared one
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>of de ladies into fainty fits, and jumped clear through de
+glass windy, and made off before any one could catch him?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! yes, I heard all about him,” replied the young
+gentleman, smiling to himself to see how the poor tramp’s
+adventure had grown in the telling.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We libs in awful times, marster,” added the man, who
+seemed inclined to linger.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We do, indeed. But now run and find the barber. Yet,
+stay a moment. Where is the commodore?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He been tending to de fainty lady ’til jes’ dis minute,
+when he went to de liberary to ’ceive de mail-bag, which
+de mail-boy have jes’ fotched in.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well. I shall find him there. Now run on your
+errand.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The boy obeyed, but the lieutenant stood still, ruminating
+how he could ever with safety break to the long bereaved
+old father the news of his son’s return, and praying that
+it might be given him in that hour what to speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have it!” he said to himself at length. “I have it!
+The mail has just come in with the Washington and Richmond
+papers! I will go in and take up one and offer to
+read it to him. I will then pretend to read the heading of
+an article: ‘Remarkable Return to Life.’ ‘Reappearance
+of a young man long supposed to have been lost at sea.’</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And then I’ll read a rigmarole about somebody, or
+rather nobody, that shall resemble Lonny’s arrival, and so
+prepare the old man’s mind to hear the fact, by presenting
+the possibility of such a thing. Bah! I know it will
+throw him in a fit, all the same,” concluded the poor lieutenant
+as he opened the library door and went in.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He found the old commodore seated in his big arm-chair
+at the table, holding an open letter in his shaking hand and
+staring at it with starting eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young man saw, as by a flash of lightning, what had
+occurred. The commodore held in his hand the long-delayed
+letter from Marseilles, referred to by poor Lonny, announcing
+his existence and intended return.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No need of breaking news here.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald! For Heaven’s sake, look at this!” exclaimed
+Commodore Bruce as soon as he saw his nephew. The lieutenant,
+instead of immediately complying with his uncle’s
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>request, went to the buffet, poured out a glass of cognac, and
+took it to the old man, who received it with a trembling
+hand and drank it at a draught.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ronald! Ronald! You are shocked to see me in this
+state; but if you knew the contents of this letter you would
+wonder you had not found me stone dead in my chair,
+struck by a lightning flash of joy! Ronald! You may
+marry the girl you love now! You may do anything in the
+world you like to make yourself happy! I would all the
+world were as happy as I am now! There! Read the letter.
+I—read it!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He stopped, for he was tremendously agitated.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lieutenant took the letter. It was short and crudely
+written, as by a hand long unaccustomed to the use of the
+pen. It was dated Marseilles, September 1st, and it told,
+in a few brief words, of the wreck of the U. S. frigate
+<i>Eagle</i> on the coast of Africa seventeen years before; of the
+loss of all the officers and crew, with the exception of the
+writer, who was rescued by the natives and carried captive
+into the interior, where he had long remained; of his flight
+to the seacoast after many ineffectual efforts; of his escape
+on board of a French ship, and his voyage to Marseilles; of
+his failure to find friends who would listen to or believe a
+story that he could not prove; and finally of his being
+obliged to work his passage home on board of a Baltimore
+clipper, which would sail in a few days.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While Ronald Bruce read this letter the commodore, recovering
+his voice, was pouring forth his emotions in a torrent
+of exclamations.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He was to follow the letter by the next ship, you see!
+In a few days! The date of that letter is old! It has been
+delayed! It was sent first to the Navy Department at
+Washington, then forwarded here! Good Heaven, to think
+of it! Even the consul at Marseilles discredited his story!
+A half-naked vagabond, picked up by a French ship on the
+coast of Africa and clothed by the humanity of the crew.
+Obliged to work his passage home! It is my son, Lonny,
+that I am talk of, Ronald—do you understand? My son,
+Lonny Bruce, who was falsely supposed to have been lost
+at sea seventeen years ago!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, yes, dear sir, I quite understand. I am reading
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>his letter,” said the young man, trying to comprehend
+through the confusion what he was reading.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He will be here soon—very soon! Those Baltimore
+clippers are fast sailers. He will go to Washington first—to
+the Navy Department—to find out where I am. Then he
+will post here!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The impetuous torrent of language poured forth by the
+old man in his excessive excitement made it almost impossible
+for the young lieutenant to get in his word “edgeways;”
+but at length he had an opportunity of saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If Lonny has neither money nor friends he may have
+to <i>tramp</i> all the way from Baltimore to Washington, and
+from Washington here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So he may, poor dear fellow,” said the commodore
+musingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“By the way, did not that strange <i>tramp</i> who came here
+this morning say something about a letter from Marseilles
+which should have preceded him?” inquired Ronald meaningly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man started, looked keenly at the younger one
+for a moment, then doubling his fist and bringing it down
+upon the table, he smote it smartly, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What an idiot! What a monster I have been! He was
+my Lonny! And <i>she</i> knew him! Oh! it is all clear enough
+now! What a jolter-headed beast I have been! No wonder
+strangers discredited his story when his own father disowned
+him!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not reproach yourself, sir! Not dreaming of seeing
+your son, how should you have known him after so many
+years and in that strange dress?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“By nature, sir! By nature, if I had not been an unnatural
+monster!” cried the commodore, springing up and
+striking out for the bell rope.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What are you about to do?” inquired Ronald, intercepting
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ring up the whole house and start them in pursuit of
+him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I thought that had been already tried without success.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“True, true,” said the commodore, sinking back in his
+seat. “He could not be found. He has taken a temporary
+shelter in some farmer’s house, doubtless. But he will come
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>back before night. He could never imagine that I would
+deny <i>him</i>!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, never; and I dare say he never even left the house
+at all, but is waiting in some vacant room for a good chance
+to make himself known.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Nothing more likely!” exclaimed the commodore, standing
+up again. “They have looked for him too far away.
+They have <i>over</i>looked him. They should have sought him
+nearer at hand.” And so saying he went for the bell.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Stay! do not call a servant! Let me go and institute a
+search,” said the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, thanks, that is better,” agreed the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald Bruce left the library and flew, bound beyond
+bound, up the stairs to the chamber where he had left
+Lonny.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He found the “tramp” washed, combed, shaved, trimmed,
+dressed, and looking not like the original of his portrait,
+but like the elder brother of the original.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The plantation barber, having finished his work, had left
+the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come,” said Ronald, “he is waiting to see you. No
+preparation was needed; I found him reading your letter,
+which had just arrived. Come.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Lonny joined his cousin at once, and both, with beating
+hearts, went below.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Go in alone. I cannot intrude on such a meeting,”
+whispered Ronald Bruce as they reached the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Lonny passed into the library.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore stood in the middle of the room, with a
+look of expectancy on his aged face.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Father!” exclaimed Lonny, hastening towards him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man started forward and caught his son to his
+heart, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lonny! Lonny! My son! My son! Oh, joy!”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIV<br> <span class='c006'>FATHER AND SON</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>And doth not a meeting like this make amends</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>For all the long years I’ve been wandering away?</div>
+      <div class='line'>To see thus around me my youth’s early friends,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>As smiling and kind as in that happy day?</div>
+      <div class='line'>Tho’ surely, o’er some of your brows, as o’er mine,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>The snow-fall of life may be stealing—what then?</div>
+      <div class='line'>Like Alps in the sunset, new lighted, in fine,</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>We’ll wear the warm hue of youth’s roses again.</div>
+      <div class='line in47'><span class='sc'>Anon.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>The silence of unutterable emotion fell upon the father
+and son for a few moments, and then the old man held the
+younger one off at arm’s length and gazed wistfully into his
+face, saying, as he slowly shook his white head:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are not so much changed since I saw you last on
+the day you sailed on that disastrous voyage, my boy; not
+so much changed, after all. Somewhat taller and gaunter in
+form, darker in complexion, and older in aspect than formerly,
+but not so much as might have been expected after
+seventeen years of captivity among barbarians. I am more
+changed than you are, my son. Ah! I have grown very
+aged in the long years of your absence and supposed death,
+Lonny.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, father, you and I are both traveling towards—eternal
+youth.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And your mother, Lonny—your mother——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here the old man’s voice became choked with emotion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t, father, don’t. I heard all that in the city.
+Strangers to me, who would not credit my story, yet remembered—could
+tell me—how——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here Lonny’s voice broke down.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She could not survive the news of that fatal week,” said
+the commodore, struggling for self-command. “She could
+not live to see this day, Lonny.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t, father, don’t! Don’t say that! We know, when
+we <i>think</i> about it, that she <i>has</i> lived to see this day, though
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>from a higher sphere. She has lived in heaven these many
+years! Father, we <i>must</i> believe that, because she was so
+good. And we shall find her there in good time if we, too,
+lead good lives! And now, dear sir, tell me of—of Emolyn.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Your wife?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, my wife! You know it, then? She has told you?
+I thought so when I saw her with you, but I was not sure,
+so I spoke very cautiously of her to my Cousin Ronald.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, she told me,” admitted the commodore, but he did
+not add how very recently Emolyn had made her appearance
+and taken him into her confidence. To have done so
+would have involved too much explanation for the moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How is she and where is she now? I left her fainting.
+It was hard to do so——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But you could not help yourself, as I was in such a
+blind fury that I took you for a ruffian who had frightened
+her half to death, and so I ordered you off, and of course
+to have persisted in staying would have made matters much
+worse for the fainting woman.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, but how is she and where is she at this moment?
+I am most anxious to see her. She recognized me, you
+know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, and when she recovered from her swoon she became
+so wild, and excitable, and reproached us so bitterly for letting
+you go, and urged us so strenuously to fetch you back,
+calling you always ‘him,’ and never using your name, that
+we thought her hysterical or delirious, and so your good
+aunt gave her a dose of morphia in a glass of port wine to
+compose her nerves. I left her sleeping under the influence
+of the opiate. You can come to her room, Lonny, and sit
+by her bed and wait for her awakening; it cannot be far off
+now.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you, father, I will do so. Naturally, I wish to
+see and speak with <i>her</i> before I do with anybody else,” said
+the younger man, rising.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore got up and led the way towards Emolyn’s
+chamber.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In crossing the hall he encountered his nephew, Ronald
+Bruce, and immediately stopped and hailed him in a loud
+voice, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>“Come here, you young scapegrace! I have got an errand
+for you! One suited to your vagrant mind!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald came, smiling, and stood before his uncle, cap in
+hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The Lady of Edengarden cannot leave her room to-day;
+nor must her young companion, Miss Palmer, be left alone
+or with only colored servants on the island. Take the boat,
+therefore, and go to Edengarden, see the young lady, give
+my respects to her and ask her, in my name, if she will do
+us the favor to return with you and join her friend here,
+who is too much indisposed at present to leave The Breezes.
+And—tell her anything else you like, for I will not go back
+on my promise, do you hear, you mutinous young dog?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I hear. ‘And to hear is to obey,’” said the lieutenant,
+laughing, as he bowed and bounded away to order his boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And pray who is the Lady of Edengarden?” inquired
+Lonny as they walked on.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Your Emolyn. The country people gave her this fantastic
+title because she has the most beautiful island home
+ever seen out of Paradise. It is near this place.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And has Ronald a little love affair on the premises, as
+I should judge from your manner to him?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! An innocent little love idyl with this lady’s
+adopted child, protégée, or pet, whichever she may be called—a
+love idyl against which I set my face for a whole summer,
+and for no other reason than the girl is Ronald’s inferior
+in birth and fortune, for in almost everything else
+she is his superior—I can tell you that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She must be an excellent girl to have won such favor
+from Emolyn,” said Leonidas Bruce thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes; but notwithstanding all that, I had set my face
+against the affair, both for the reasons I have explained—her
+want of rank and fortune—and also because I wished to
+bring about a marriage between Ronald Bruce and his
+Cousin Hermia, who, failing you, would have been my co-heirs.
+But, bless you, the mutinous young dog would have
+defied me, and disinherited himself, by marrying the girl
+long ago, if it had not happened that her father was too
+proud to permit his daughter to marry into a family where
+she was not wanted, and the girl herself was too pious to
+disobey her father. So, you see, the whole affair turned
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>upon the pivot of my will, and the rebellious young rascal
+was forced to obey me, whether he would or no. However,
+in my joy and gratitude at the news of your arrival, my
+son, I told the young rebel that he might marry his love
+if he wanted to, that I had withdrawn my opposition to his
+marriage, and now I have sent him to bring the pretty child
+here to her benefactress—your Emolyn. Not much magnanimity
+in that, however, for now that your joyful return
+has changed the face of affairs, so that Ronald is no longer
+my heir, of course I have no longer any right to pretend to
+control his freedom of action, or even any farther interest in
+trying to promote a marriage between him and his cousin.
+So I withdraw my opposition to his union with this child,
+and as her father has now no excuse for withholding his
+consent, I suppose he will give it. But whatever they will
+have to live on except his pay I don’t know, unless indeed
+your Emolyn should choose to endow her adopted child.
+She could do so. She is fabulously rich. But here we are
+at her door. There is no one but the old colored housekeeper
+watching her now, so we may enter.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They went into the room together.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was in semi-darkness, for the better repose of the
+sleeper. But the afternoon sun, shining against the heavy
+crimson curtains of the front windows facing the west,
+threw a deep, somber, ruddy glow over the richly furnished
+chamber, and even lent a little color to the marble face of
+her who lay in deep repose upon the white bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old commodore went up to the bedside, followed by
+Lonny.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The colored nurse respectfully arose from her seat, and
+with a courtesy yielded her place to her master.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You may go now, Liddy. I will ring when we want
+you,” said the latter.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>With another courtesy the woman turned and left the
+room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Sit you here yourself, Lonny,” said the commodore,
+pointing to the chair by the side of the bed, which had just
+been vacated by the nurse.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Lonny, who was at that moment standing at the head of
+the bed gazing anxiously down on the still, pale face of the
+sleeper, now almost breathlessly inquired:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>“Is she well, do you think?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Perfectly well, and when she wakes she will be prepared
+to see you; for, mind you, she had already recognized you,
+and before we could induce her to drink that glass of port
+wine into which your aunt had put the dose of morphia
+I had to promise her that you should be sought for and
+brought back, though little did we dream who you would
+turn out to be when found. So she will really expect to see
+you when she wakes. Therefore, all we have to do, Lonny,
+is to sit here and watch for that awakening, which cannot
+be far off. Meantime you can while away the hour by telling
+me some of the strange adventures that you must have
+had out in the wilds of Africa, or by asking me of anything
+you wish to know concerning what has transpired here in
+your absence.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But will our talking disturb Emolyn?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, not at all. We need not talk loud.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Will she sleep long?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think not. If she should, we may safely awaken her
+and give her a cup of strong coffee,” said the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then they settled themselves down for a long talk.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But in all their conversation Commodore Bruce adroitly
+avoided all mention of Emolyn’s long and fatal reticence
+and her terrible trial; for not in that first day of happy
+reunion could the father darken the son’s spirit with the
+shadow of that long past tragedy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>No. He spoke of Emolyn’s goodness and popularity; of
+her benefactions to the poor; of her extensive foreign travels;
+of her lovely home in Edengarden; and of her affection for
+her pretty namesake and lately adopted daughter, Emolyn
+Palmer, whose cause she had been pleading, he said, at the
+very moment Lonny had surprised them in the study.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then my Emolyn will be made as happy by your consent
+to their marriage as the young lovers themselves,”
+said Lonny.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Quite,” replied the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But at the end of that interview the long absent, lately
+returned husband was left in complete ignorance that a
+child had been born to him, and that his wife had kept
+the secret of their private marriage during all the long
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>years of his absence and up to within a few hours of his
+return.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was late in the afternoon when Emolyn gave signs of
+awakening.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore whispered to his son to withdraw for a
+moment out of her range of vision.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When Lonny had done so the commodore stooped over
+Emolyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She had awakened calmly, as all sound persons do after
+an opiate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Have you kept your promise to me?” she quietly questioned,
+fixing her eyes upon those bent on her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, of course. I always keep my promises. Every
+officer and gentleman is bound to do so.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You have brought Lonny back? Oh, where is he? Why
+doesn’t he come? Let me see him at once!” she vehemently
+exclaimed. “It was cruel! cruel!—it was <i>mad</i> in you to
+send him away at all! Why on earth——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Because I didn’t know him, child! My eyes are old,
+and I took him for a——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The good commodore had got in so many words “edgeways”
+while she continued to speak; but now she vehemently
+interrupted him with—</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Not know Lonny! Not know your own son! I beg
+you to forgive me, though, for all my rudeness. I was so
+excited—I was almost crazy; but, oh, please, <i>please</i>, bring
+him to me at once!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will, my dear, I will!” said the old man as he arose
+from his seat, beckoned his son to approach and then glided
+silently out of the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Leonidas Bruce went towards his wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She had risen on her elbow, and was eagerly watching
+the door out of which the commodore had passed. She
+evidently expected Lonny’s entrance through that way.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But he came to her from the opposite direction, and said
+softly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Emolyn!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>With a slight cry she started, turned and threw her arms
+about his neck as he bent over her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Emolyn, my beloved! This meeting pays us for all—does
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>it not?” he said as he clasped and pressed her to
+his heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Instead of replying she burst into a storm of tears and
+sobs, crying between her gasps:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Lonny! Lonny! Oh, Lonny! Lonny!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She was thinking at this hour of the child she had borne
+and lost under such heart-rending, soul-harrowing disasters.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Her husband tried to soothe her. He thought she was
+crying in memory of their long separation, which was like
+the parting by death, as it was long supposed to be.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do not weep so! You will make yourself ill. It <i>has</i>
+been a long, dreary, hopeless absence—yes, and silent as the
+grave; but it is over now, forever, dearest, and surely you
+are glad I have come back at ‘long last?’ This meeting, I
+repeat it, repays us for all the past.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes,” she said with a profound sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And it is over now, dear Emolyn. That first parting
+and long separation shall be our last also.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes,” she sighed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We meet now to part no more in this world, until the
+Lord’s summons comes for one or the other, or both—I hope
+it may be for both, Emolyn—to go ‘up higher.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I hope it will be ‘for both,’” she added, wiping
+her eyes and striving to command herself. She perceived
+that he had not heard of the terrible ordeal through which
+she had passed, and not for the world would she, any
+sooner than his father, darken the first day of his return
+with the knowledge of the blight that had fallen on her
+young life. Later, Lonny should know all—<i>all!</i> but not
+to-day, no, nor to-morrow. They must have a little rest
+before such a revelation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But that day of summons and departure is probably
+far enough off for both of us, dear Emolyn. We are both
+young yet. Remember, we married when we were children.
+You a little over fifteen, I eighteen. Just seventeen years
+and a half have passed. You are not yet quite thirty-three.
+I no more than thirty-five. Why, unmarried people at that
+age pass for young ladies and gentlemen! We have a long
+time yet to live and love, even in this world, dear Lynny.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes,” she said, smiling.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXV<br> <span class='c006'>A SUDDEN SUMMONS</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line in24'>Prythee, say on;</div>
+      <div class='line'>The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim</div>
+      <div class='line'>A matter of moment.</div>
+      <div class='line in14'>I go, I go; look how I go;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Swifter than arrow from the Tartar’s bow.</div>
+      <div class='line in34'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>While the happy reunited pair spoke of future hopes
+and plans, Commodore Bruce passed off to the long drawing-room,
+rang for his servant and sent the man first, to go
+in turn to every member of the family and request each one
+to come thither, and then to call every domestic in the house
+to the presence of the master.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While waiting for his orders to be obeyed the old commodore
+walked slowly up and down the floor, muttering
+to himself:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I dare say one-half of them already know the whole
+truth, and the other half shrewdly suspect  it! However, I
+must make the announcement all the same, I suppose.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few moments the ladies of the family began to drop
+in. First came Mrs. Catherine Bruce and Hermia; next
+Mrs. Warde and Belinda.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore requested them to sit down and wait for
+a few minutes longer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length the household servants came, with faces full
+of interest and curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old gentleman’s conjecture as to their knowledge
+and their suspicions was about half right. The crowd before
+him knew that something extraordinary, connected
+with a tramp, had occurred; but they were far from knowing
+what it really was.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They stood now, eagerly waiting for the master of the
+house to enlighten them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Commodore Bruce did this in a very few words:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have to announce to you joyful intelligence. My son,
+Mr. Leonidas Bruce, long supposed to have been lost in the
+wreck of the United States ship <i>Eagle</i>, has returned unexpectedly
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>to-day. He is now in this house, as is also his
+wife, Emolyn, whom you have all heard of as the Lady of
+Edengarden. They are to remain here, I hope. Those
+among you who remember Mr. Bruce in his boyhood shall
+have an opportunity of shaking hands with him after dinner.
+Later you shall hear more. This is all I have to
+tell you. No! no demonstrations—not even congratulations
+yet! I will have none—I——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But before the commodore could utter another word every
+arm went waving aloft over every head, and a unanimous—</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!” burst from the crowd of
+servants.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“As if it were reasonable, or even possible, to prevent
+that!” whispered his sister Margaret, laying her hand soothingly
+on the arm of the exasperated commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man swallowed his rising wrath and merely said
+to the offenders:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, every man among you go quietly away to your
+duties! Next Thursday—a week from to-day—being Hallow
+Eve, you shall all have a thundering blow-out in honor
+of this joyful occasion! No! No more hurrahing, you
+villains! If there should be——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hurrah! Hurrah!! Hurrah!!!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Begone!” said the commodore with a stamp.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And they hurried away, making the welkin ring as they
+went with:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hurrah! Hurrah!! Hurrah!!!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You really cannot expect anything else, and you should
+not blame them,” said Mrs. Templeton, the peacemaker.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore relieved his feelings by striking his thick
+cane down heavily upon the floor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But, now that the servants are gone, uncle, for Heaven’s
+sake tell <i>us</i> all about this wonderful return,” exclaimed
+Hermia.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, pray do!” chorused all the other ladies.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old man looked at them mockingly for a space, and
+then said bluntly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I <span class='fss'>WON’T</span>! I have had excitement enough for one day,
+and now I am going to my room to smoke. You’ll all see
+Lonny and his wife at dinner. Yet stay—in this connection
+I would add that the young girl, Emolyn Palmer, who
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>was our inmate a few weeks ago, is now the cherished pet of
+the Lady of Edengarden, in consideration of which I have
+sent for her to come and join us at dinner, and she will
+probably remain our guest as long as her benefactress is
+pleased to stay. Now pray ask no more questions, my dear,
+for I have no more explanations to make at present. Mrs.
+Warde, you look pale. I hope you are not indisposed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thanks, no; I am as well as usual,” answered the widow
+in a constrained voice.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am glad to hear it. I want every one to feel well on
+this happy day. Ladies, in good time you <i>shall</i> hear ‘all
+about it;’ but for the present I must leave you and seek
+needful repose.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And so saying, with his ceremonious old bow, the commodore
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mrs. Warde stepped away to hide her agitation that the
+news of Lonny’s return and the mention of his wife’s name
+had raised in her conscious soul.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The other ladies remained for a few minutes, talking over
+the extraordinary event of the day, and then separated to
+go to their rooms and prepare a special toilet for the occasion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Commodore Bruce had sought the refuge of
+his library, dropped with a sigh of relief into his easy-chair,
+and delivered himself to repose.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>But his rest was of short duration. He had set too many
+wires in motion that day to be left long in quietness. He
+was soon interrupted by the entrance of Ronald with Em.,
+just arrived from Edengarden.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They both entered the room looking so innocently and
+frankly happy that the old man could not but receive them
+very cordially.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, Ronald, I never knew you to do an errand so
+quickly in all the days of my life before. I commend you,
+my lad,” he said in good-humored raillery of the young
+lover.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then, holding out his hand to Em., he smiled on her,
+saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come hither, my child, and kiss me. Now, am I not a
+good-natured old muff to let that young coxcomb have you,
+when I am so fond of you myself?” he continued, as he put
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>his arm around her waist and drew her to his side in a
+fatherly embrace. “Say, am I not very, <i>very</i> good to the
+young puppy?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are ‘very, very good’ to <i>me</i>, sir,” said Em., raising
+his withered hand to her lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“To <i>him</i>, miss, to <i>him</i>. As for you, I do not know but
+that I am doing you a mischief in consenting to this marriage.
+But, there, I have consented and shall not retract.
+I suppose that fellow has told you so, and also everything
+else that has happened here to-day?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, sir, and I am so glad and thankful that your
+son has returned. Oh! if I could only <i>tell</i> you how glad
+and thankful,” earnestly exclaimed Em. as the tears rushed
+to her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>That</i> tells <i>me</i>! And now I have something else to tell
+you. This dear, only son of mine is also the beloved husband
+of your benefactress, Em.—of your lovely Lady of
+Edengarden, Ronald!” exclaimed the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Both the young people opened their eyes in astonishment,
+and would have opened their lips in inquiry had not the
+commodore prevented them by nervously exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No questions! No comments! You will find out everything
+in time. Ring the bell, Ronald.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The young man silently obeyed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The hall footman appeared.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Send the girl Liza here,” said the old man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few moments the girl appeared.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You waited on Miss Palmer when she was here before,
+did you not?” inquired her master.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then show this young lady to the best spare room in the
+house, and make her comfortable,” said the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. kissed the old man’s hand and followed the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, my lad, do you also go about your business! I
+expect to have a row with your mother about consenting to
+this marriage; but I guess I know how to persuade <i>her</i>.
+And now I must smoke my pipe in peace.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And doze, if you can, uncle! Indeed, I hope you will,”
+said Ronald as he turned to leave the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There’s but little time left for <i>that</i> before dinner,” muttered
+the commodore as he settled for a nap.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>As Em. went upstairs, attended by Liza, she asked the
+girl:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t you think I might have the room in the attic that
+I had before?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Surely, Miss Em., if you refers dat one; but dere’s heap
+betters.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I prefer that one.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, ain’t dat so funny!” exclaimed the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What funny? My preferring the attic chamber to a
+finer one?” inquired the guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, Miss Em., not dat; but I’ll jes’ tell you. It <i>was</i>
+funny. Why, Miss Em., when you went away so suddint
+I did feel so lonesome ’dout you dat I mos’ cried my eyes
+out. And den I cleaned up your room, and cleaned out de
+fireplace, and piled shavin’s and pine cones and pine sticks
+and hickory logs inter it, ready to light a fire at a minute’s
+warning, ’caze I ax myself maybe if I keeps de room ready
+for her it will work on de sperrits in some ’sterious way so
+she may come back! And, sure ’nough, here you is, and
+your room all ready for you. It <i>is</i> funny. Come in, Miss
+Em.,” concluded Liza, for they had now reached the attic
+landing and the chamber door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Liza entered first, took a match from the mantelpiece and
+lighted the combustibles under the hickory sticks across the
+andirons, and soon had a bright, blazing fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then she took Em.’s traveling-bag from her hands and
+began to unbutton her waterproof, which was fastened from
+her neck to her feet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When this was done Em. threw off her cloak and unpinned
+a looped skirt and shook it down, and appeared in a
+simple but elegant blue silk dress, trimmed on the bosom
+and sleeves with pure Valenciennes lace.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Why, Miss <span class='sc'>Em.</span>!” cried the little maid in glad surprise.
+“If that ain’t jes’ like Cinderella!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lieutenant Bruce told me there was to be company at
+dinner, and so I put on the best dress I owned—a present
+from my benefactress—to grace it,” she explained as she
+went to the glass to rearrange her golden auburn hair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Let me run to the deservatory for some white roses,
+Miss Em., one for your head an’ one for your breas’. I
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>won’t be gone long!” exclaimed Liza, dashing out of the
+room without waiting for an answer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She soon returned, bringing a bunch of fresh, half-open
+white roses, which Em., after thanking the girl warmly,
+arranged in her hair and on her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She had just put these finishing touches to her toilet
+when the dinner-bell rang.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That’s the last bell, Miss Em. The first one rang half
+an hour ago, ’fore you ’rived, I reckon,” said Liza.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am quite ready,” said the young lady as she passed
+out of the room and went downstairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>On entering the drawing-room she found the family assembled
+there. A group near the upper end fixed her attention.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A tall, dark, handsome man, whom she instantly recognized
+by his portrait to be Leonidas Bruce, stood with the
+Lady of Edengarden leaning on his arm. Near them stood
+Commodore Bruce and his sister. Not far off were all the
+other members of the family circle.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As Em. entered her benefactress dropped the arm of the
+gentleman on whom she had been leaning and advanced to
+meet her youthful protégée.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Come, my love, you have heard how happy we are all
+rendered by Mr. Bruce’s return. I wish to present you to
+him,” said the lady as she drew the girl’s arm within her
+own and led her straight up to the gentleman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is my dear young friend, Emolyn Palmer, Mr.
+Bruce, and I know you will love her for her own sake as
+well as for mine.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is enough like you to be your sister. I am very glad
+to see her,” replied Lonny as he offered his hand to the
+timid child before him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I hope you will let me say how rejoiced I am at your
+return and at your happiness,” said Em. shyly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Thank you, my dear girl. I hope you will be as happy
+with us both as you have been with your friend here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, indeed I <i>know</i> I shall be even much happier,” replied
+the girl; and if she could have spoken her whole
+thoughts she would have added: “For—I do not understand
+it, but—I love you just as much as I do love her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>Em.’s lips did not utter this, but her radiant face said a
+great deal more.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Then she received and returned the greetings of the
+other ladies.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, we are waiting for Dr. Willet and Mrs. Warde,”
+said the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dr. Willet has not yet returned from the Wilderness,
+and Mrs. Warde is too much indisposed to join us. We need
+not wait for either,” said Mrs. Catherine Bruce.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very well, then, we won’t! Leonidas, bring Emolyn in
+to dinner. Ronald, take Miss Palmer. Catherine, allow
+me,” said the commodore as he gave his arm to his sister-in-law
+and led the way to the dining-room, where the housekeeper
+had laid a sumptuous feast in honor of the newly-arrived.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>That was a memorable dinner. Every one enjoyed it, and
+no one more than the reunited couple and the young lovers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the cloth was removed a few toasts were drunk—to
+the returned traveler, to the reunited husband and wife,
+and finally to the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the ladies rose to leave the table the gentlemen
+did not, on this occasion, linger over their wine, but followed
+them at once to the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was nine o’clock, and they were at the height of their
+enjoyment of this family reunion when the clatter of a
+horse’s hoofs was heard rapidly galloping up the rocky road
+leading to the gate of the yard.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Before any one could hazard a conjecture on the subject
+the hall door was opened and the voice of Dr. Willet heard
+in excited tones demanding:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Where is your master?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The footman was heard to reply:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“In the drawing-room, sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>On this Commodore Bruce started up, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What now?” and he left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>He met the doctor full tilt at the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Commodore Bruce, there is not a moment to be lost!
+I ordered the carriage as I came through the stable yard!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But what is the matter?” demanded the commodore of
+the excited speaker.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I have a most startling and important revelation from
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>the dying woman, Ann Whitlock, who has partly recovered
+her speech. It is a revelation that must be received under
+oath in presence of a magistrate. It is in your capacity as a
+justice of the peace that I want you at the bedside of this
+dying woman.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I will be ready in five minutes,” replied the commodore
+with his old martial promptitude.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And not only yourself, but your son, Leonidas Bruce,
+his wife, Emolyn, and the young girl whom we have known
+only as Em. Palmer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What! Do you mean to say that they must go, too?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“But what have <i>they</i> to do with this?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Everything! Everything connected with their honor,
+prosperity and happiness.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVI<br> <span class='c006'>A STARTLING STORY</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line in18'>If hearty sorrow</div>
+      <div class='line'>Be a sufficient ransom for offence,</div>
+      <div class='line'>I tender it here; I do as truly suffer</div>
+      <div class='line'>As e’er I did commit.</div>
+      <div class='line in30'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Great was the wonder in the drawing-room when Dr.
+Willet entered, and after a sweeping bow that took in the
+whole circle, went straight up to Leonidas Bruce and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am really sorry to break up this ‘goodlie companie,’
+but ‘necessity has no law,’ and this particular case admits
+of no compromise. Mr. Bruce, I am here to ask you, your
+wife, and this young lady, Miss Emolyn, to come with me to
+the deathbed of my patient.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Who is it?” inquired the astonished man.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mrs. Ann Whitlock, the old woman whom I have been
+attending for the last few weeks at the Wilderness Manor-house;
+the same one to whom I was so suddenly called again
+this afternoon.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes. Well, poor soul, if she is dying, I am sure I’m
+very sorry for her; but I can’t help it. I don’t know her
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>the least in the world. Why, I have but just got home, you
+see; and I don’t know——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, of course you don’t know anything at all about
+it; but your wife and this young lady both know the old
+woman who sends for them to her deathbed, and as they will
+not disregard her dying request, perhaps you will elect to
+go with them. Your presence is desirable, but not absolutely
+necessary.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, of course I will go. Since these ladies were acquainted
+with the poor old creature I can partly understand
+her desire to see them,” said Leonidas Bruce good-naturedly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Then, as no time is to be lost, let me entreat the ladies
+to get ready for their ride immediately. The carriage is
+ordered,” said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Full of conjecture as to the cause of the summons, Mrs.
+Bruce arose, drew Emolyn’s arm within her own, and left
+the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As the two women separated in the hall, the one to go
+to the parlor chamber, the other to go to the attic, Mrs.
+Bruce noticed that Em.’s eyes were full of tears.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What! weeping, my love?” she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ah! she was very good to me. Always very good to
+me,” sighed the girl.</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c010'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“‘But the angels weep when a babe is born,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And sing when an old man dies.’</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c011'>You should not weep for the death of the aged, my dear.
+What can she want with us, Em.? Ah! I understand how
+she may want you; but <i>me</i>? Long ago she nursed my
+uncle, it is true, yet I scarcely ever knew her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I think, dear lady, that, as she knows you have me, she
+only wishes to see us both together, and perhaps commend
+me to your kindness. She <i>need</i> not do that, of course, but
+she was always <i>very</i> good to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That is it!” exclaimed the lady, and then she hurried off
+to her room, while Em. ran up to the attic.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In the meantime the ladies left in the drawing-room,
+Mrs. Catherine Bruce, and Miss Belinda Warde, came
+around to Dr. Willet for an explanation of this sudden
+night summons.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>The good physician parried their questions as politely as
+he could, and was still evading them when the door opened
+and Commodore Bruce came in, all booted and spurred for
+riding, and exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, doctor, I am ready, you see! As you have ridden
+so much to-day I shall give you my seat in the carriage, old
+friend, and take your horse. No, now! Not one word of
+objection! I will have it so. Besides, I have ordered a
+second horse for Leonidas, so that I and my son may trot
+side by side, as we used to do when I was younger and he
+was smaller,” added the commodore as he drew on his
+gloves.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As he spoke Leonidas Bruce, equipped for riding, accompanied
+by his cousin, Ronald, re-entered the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The two ladies soon followed—Mrs. Leonidas Bruce in
+the dress she had worn on her short journey from Edengarden
+to The Breezes, and Em. in her boat cloak and hood.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, we are all ready, I believe?” inquired the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The other members of the party assented, and after bidding
+good-evening to the three ladies and the one gentleman
+left behind, they went out the front door to the place
+where the carriage and the saddle horses were awaiting
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Dr. Willet handed the two ladies into the carriage, then
+followed and took his seat at their side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Leonidas Bruce assisted his father to mount his horse,
+then leaped into his own saddle and rode after the carriage,
+which had already started.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The commodore was soon by his son’s side.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And so they wound down the road leading down the
+mountainside and through the forest to the back road, and
+thence to the Wilderness Manor-house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was no moon, but the sky was perfectly clear, and
+the innumerable stars shone with a sparkling brilliancy
+that compensated for her absence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The three passengers in the carriage spoke but little. Dr.
+Willet went to sleep. It was very rude of him to do so, but
+he was aged and tired. Mrs. Leonidas Bruce was absorbed
+in reverie. Em. was silently weeping and stealthily wiping
+away her tears. Em. had scarcely realized how much she
+loved the uncouth old creature who had been her nurse and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>companion all her young life and until within a few weeks.
+Yet these were tears of tender compassion rather than of
+bitter sorrow; tears, too, which Em.’s cheerful faith taught
+her were more natural than rational, since “death is but an
+orderly step in life,” and to die out of this sphere is to be
+born in a higher one.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The two men enjoyed <i>their</i> ride. Neither of them took
+any more than a kindly interest in the dying woman they
+were going to see, so they talked of everything else than of
+her—of Lonny’s shipwreck, and rescue, and capture; of
+his experiences in the long years of his captivity; of his
+flight and escape, and his voyage home on the French ship,
+etc., etc., etc.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All these adventures Lonny had already related. But
+now, at his father’s request, he went over them again, as
+he was destined many times to repeat them at intervals for
+his father, his father’s friends and—their friends, for many
+years to come.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It was ten o’clock when they drew near a pile of dark
+buildings in the valley below them, which they recognized
+as the Wilderness Manor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few minutes they were at the gates opening into
+the back courtyard under the shadow of the mountain, this
+being the nearer approach to the house from the direction
+of The Breezes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Here John Palmer and his boys waited to receive them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John led the party up to the house, while the boys took
+away the horses to the rear stables.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At the door of the house Susan Palmer received her late
+visitors.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>She had been prepared by Dr. Willet, who had informed
+her of the unexpected return of the long missing Leonidas
+Bruce, so she showed no surprise at his appearance, and
+under the serious circumstances gave him only the general
+welcome extended to the whole party.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Walk in here, ladies and gentlemen,” she said, opening
+the door of a well-warmed and lighted parlor, where a fine
+fire of hickory logs blazed in the broad fireplace, and two
+tall “mold” candles, in taller brass candlesticks, stood on
+the high mantel-shelf.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable, while
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>I take Em. up to see the poor soul, for so she desired me
+to do first of all,” added Mrs. Palmer as she placed chairs
+near the fire for her guests.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they were seated she beckoned Em., who arose to
+follow her, then bowed to her guests, and left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>As soon as they reached the hall outside Susan Palmer
+astonished Em. by suddenly throwing her arms around the
+girl’s neck, bursting into tears, and exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! my child, you’ll love us all the same! You’ll love
+us all the same! You’ll love us all the same!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Dear mother, what is the matter?” inquired the girl
+in alarm.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! Em., say you will! Say you will!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Will <i>what</i>? I’ll do <i>all</i> you wish, dear mother, only tell
+me <i>what</i>!” exclaimed the frightened girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Love us just as much! Just as much, Em.! Oh, just
+as much!” sobbed the woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My own dear mother,” murmured Em., caressing and
+soothing the excited creature, although she herself was
+frightened half out of her senses at the agitation she could
+not comprehend—“my own dear mother, I love you and
+shall always love you. Compose yourself. Do not doubt
+me. Is it because Commodore Bruce has consented that
+his nephew shall marry me? Have you already heard that,
+and do you think it could make any difference in my love
+for you? It could not, dear mother, not one bit!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh! no, Em., no! It isn’t <i>that</i>. I’m not such a fool
+as to take on so about <i>that</i>. Of course I knew you would
+marry some time. Besides, I hadn’t even heard of it. Oh!
+no, Em., it is not that! It is worse than that. Heaven forgive
+me, it is better than that. No, it is <i>worse</i>. Oh, Em.!
+Em.! Em.!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And Susan Palmer fell to weeping.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“My own dear, dear mother, I never knew you to be
+so nervous in my life before. Surely you are not well.
+Oh, what <i>is</i> the matter?” exclaimed the girl, her alarm
+rising to terror.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You’ll hear soon enough, Em.! You’ll hear soon
+enough! But oh, do promise me you’ll love us all the same,
+all the same, whatever you hear!” said Susan Palmer, with
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>a great sobbing sigh as she released the girl and wiped her
+own eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Won’t you tell me what it is, mother, dear?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, Em. It ain’t for me to tell you. But oh! you
+will still call me ‘mother,’ and poor, dear, good, good John,
+who is so fond of you, ‘father’—won’t you, Em.?” she
+pleaded.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. could only look at the distressed woman in silent
+dismay—thinking of approaching illness, fever, delirium.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You know you will call the gentleman and lady papa
+and mamma because children in high life call their parents
+that. But you will call me and poor old John plain mother
+and father as you always did—won’t you, Em.?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She is distressing herself about my possible marriage
+and my future mother and father-in-law,” thought Em.;
+and then she answered earnestly:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“<i>Always</i>, dear mother. Always, believe me! I will
+never call any one else father or mother but you and
+father!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“That’s my loving heart! That’s my sweet, loving
+heart! You can call them ‘papa’ and ‘mamma,’ you know,
+and they’ll like that just as well, and even better, for that
+is fashionable and elegant, and polite, and so on. But oh,
+Em!”—with another burst of emotion—“it is just as if you
+were dead to us! Just as if you were dead! I wish—oh,
+I do wish that we had taught you to call us ‘daddy’ and
+‘mammy,’ for then I should know you would never call any
+fine lady or gentleman <i>that</i>. Now, come upstairs, child,
+for I have kept you down here too long already. But oh,
+Em.! It is just like closing down the coffin-lid over your
+face to let you go now! We part now, we will never meet
+again in the same way, Em.,” she exclaimed, as she began
+slowly to climb the stairs, followed closely by the troubled
+and bewildered girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Not a word more was spoken between them until they
+reached the attic landing, when Mrs. Palmer opened the
+door of the sick-room and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Go in there, Em.! Go in alone! Oh! my Lord! It is
+like lowering you into the grave! We will meet again!
+But not the same! Oh, nevermore the same.” She sighed
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>as she sent Em. alone into the room and gently closed the
+door after her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The sick chamber, as I mentioned once before, was a
+large upper room. It was now in obscurity, the smoldering
+hardwood fire in the fireplace, and the rustic lamp on
+the mantel-shelf giving but little light.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. went up to the old-fashioned four-poster at the
+upper end of the room, where Dr. Willet had already taken
+his place, and old Monica was waiting. The latter gave
+way as Em. approached the bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The dying woman was lying very still, on her back, with
+her wasted face level on the pillow, and her skeleton hands
+folded on her breast.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Speak to her,” said Dr. Willet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Aunty Whitlock,” said Em., gently, bending over her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The woman sighed, moaned, and opened her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Aunty Whitlock, how do you do?” inquired Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The poor creature made several ineffectual efforts to
+articulate, and finally said, in an imperfect way:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—am—getting—well—fast.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Is she delirious?” inquired Em., in a whisper and with
+a startled look at the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, it is her way of speaking. She means that
+she is going—dying. Hush! She is trying to speak to
+you again. Bend low—bend your ear to her lips.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The girl obeyed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em.,” muttered the woman, so imperfectly that the
+listener could scarcely recognize her own name. “Em., my
+child.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Aunty Whitlock. I am listening—I hear.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Have I been—good to you—my dear?” she asked, in
+tones so faint and muffled that Em. scarcely gathered their
+meaning, but rather divined it, as she answered:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Very, very good to me always, dear Aunty Whitlock.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I—<i>did</i>—save—your life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, I know you did, dear aunty! Mother has often
+told me you did.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A cloud of trouble passed over the face of the dying
+woman, and her lips writhed in their efforts to utter the
+next words, which Em. bent her ear and strained her sense
+to hear.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>“Yes—but not in that way—not as she thinks—did I
+save your life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>There was silence and quick breathing for a few minutes,
+and then, with an effort, she resumed:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When—you know all—forgive—because—I <i>did</i> save
+your life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. stooped and kissed the old woman, and laid her
+fresh, living cheek against the faded and dying one.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now, doctor!” panted the woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Dr. Willet approached and bent over her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Let them come—quick—I’m passing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The doctor administered a restorative, and then left the
+room to bring the Bruces to the bedside of the fast sinking
+woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. remained standing by her, rubbing her cold hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In a few moments the doctor re-entered the room, bearing
+two lighted candles in his hand, and followed by Commodore
+Bruce, Leonidas and Emolyn and John and Susan
+Palmer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The doctor drew a little stand to the bedside and placed
+the two candles upon it, and laid a folded paper beside
+them. Then he beckoned Emolyn Bruce to appear.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady put off her bonnet and shawl and went up to
+the bedside, closely followed by her husband.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady bent over the dying woman, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am very sorry to see you in this way, Mrs. Whitlock.
+Do you know me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“You are Emolyn Wyndeworth—I saved your child’s
+life—I was always good to her—she will tell you so herself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What does she mean?” inquired Leonidas, who had
+caught only one or two words of this faintly muttered
+speech.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Emolyn shook her head in doubt, and Dr. Willet
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Hush! You will know soon. Let me say a few words.
+When I came to this woman this afternoon she made a
+startling confession to me in the presence of John and
+Susan Palmer. I took the statement down from her dying
+lips, lest if I had delayed to do so it might have been too
+late. I took her mark and the signatures of the two Palmers
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>as witnesses. I wish to have her acknowledge this
+confession to be the truth, under oath. Commodore Bruce,
+will you administer the oath?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old commodore, much wondering what he should
+hear next, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Will you read it to her first?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, there will not be time. I will read it afterwards.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Lift her up, then, somebody.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer, being the strongest “body” present, went
+to the head of the bed, lifted the dying woman to a sitting
+posture, and supported her in his firm arms, with her back
+resting against his chest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“This is her written statement,” said Dr. Willet, placing
+the folded paper in the hands of the commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Make—haste,” panted the woman, with difficulty.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The doctor poured out and administered a stimulant,
+which partially revived her.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Do you know what you are about to do?” inquired the
+commodore.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes—swear to—the truth of—my statement,” gasped
+the woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Commodore Bruce, in his capacity of magistrate, then
+administered the oath and exhibited the written statement
+with its signatures, which she recognized and acknowledged
+under oath.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“There! That will do! This necessary disturbance has
+shaken the last sands of her life. Leave her now to repose,
+and follow me down to the drawing-room, where I will read
+to you all this strange confession,” said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer left his perch on the head of the bed and
+gently lowered the head of the dying woman to the pillow.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan tenderly adjusted the covering around her, and
+beckoned old Monica to come and resume her watch by
+the bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Dr. Willet took up the two lighted candles and led
+the way from the room, leaving the place in the twilight
+shadow and stillness best fitted for the sufferer.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The whole party repaired to the drawing-room, and
+seated themselves around the large circular center-table
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>upon which Dr. Willet had placed the candles and the
+document.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the little bustle, incident upon this movement,
+subsided, the doctor took up the paper and began to read
+the statement aloud to his almost breathless audience.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And then and there the astonished family of Commodore
+Bruce learned a secret they had never even suspected
+before, though doubtless my intelligent readers have divined
+it long ago.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The attested statement of the dying woman showed how
+she, Ann Whitlock, sick-nurse, while in the employment of
+Mrs. Malvina Warde, at Green Point, being tempted of the
+devil, did appropriate to herself certain valuable jewels
+belonging to the family, and being caught in the act by
+Mrs. Warde, did thenceforward fall, body and soul, into
+the power of that lady, who, by threats of prosecution and
+imprisonment did compel her, Ann Whitlock, to commit
+great sins. How, to effect her purpose, Mrs. Warde procured
+for Ann Whitlock, the position of sick-nurse in the
+Women’s Hospital in the city. How, on the thirtieth of
+April, 18—, she, Ann Whitlock, being driven of the devil in
+the shape of Malvina, procured certain drugs to be administered
+to Emolyn Wyndeworth, then living at Green Point,
+which drugs hastened the illness of that lady. How, on
+the morning of the first of May, while it was yet dark, and
+the household all in bed, she, being secretly admitted by
+Mrs. Warde to the sick chamber of Emolyn Wyndeworth,
+had, with the assistance of Malvina Warde, stolen away the
+new-born, healthy infant daughter of Emolyn Wyndeworth,
+and secretly conveyed it to the Women’s Hospital, and
+adroitly changed it for the still-born child of Susan Palmer,
+a patient in the ward then under her care. How, leaving
+the living infant by the sleeping woman, she had brought
+back the dead one and laid it on the bed with Emolyn
+Wyndeworth. How ever since that fatal night she had so
+suffered with remorse that nothing but the one thought
+that Mrs. Warde would certainly have destroyed the living
+child, if she herself had not substituted the dead one for it,
+could bring her any comfort; but that she compensated the
+child for the loss of its real mother by giving her to the
+best woman she knew in the world, and by being as good to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>her as she possibly could be. Finally, that she had meant
+to tell the truth on her deathbed, when she should be out
+of the power of her demoniac mistress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>That was all. Fortunately not a word had been said
+about the trial.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVII.<br> <span class='c006'>CONCLUSION.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c007'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Thou art our daughter, never loved as now,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Thou gentlest maid, thou child of purity.</div>
+      <div class='line in36'><span class='sc'>Maturin.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>Fortunately, I say, not a word had been said of the
+trial which had blighted so many years of Emolyn Wyndeworth’s
+life.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The reading of Ann Whitlock’s confession was followed
+by a deep silence of some moments, during which nothing
+was heard but the low sound of Susan Palmer’s weeping.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length Em. arose softly from her seat beside old Commodore
+Bruce, and went over and seated herself beside
+Susan, put her arms around the poor woman’s neck, kissed
+her, and murmured:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So <i>that</i> was what you meant, dear mother! How
+strange it all is! But <i>do</i> not weep so! I <i>will</i> love you all
+the same, dear, dear mother. Are seventeen years of tenderest
+motherhood to be blotted out by one hour’s revelation?
+Oh, no, no, no, my own dear mother, no! You and
+I have loved and worked and suffered too long and too
+closely together for that——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“And John, too!” sobbed Susan. “Oh, <i>poor</i> John!
+You were his favorite child, Em. He <i>was</i> so fond of you!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, and dear father, too! He <i>is</i> so fond of me, mother.
+Ah! don’t weep so! Indeed, I love you—<i>more</i> than ever!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, Em., I know it is so selfish and <i>so</i> mean in me to
+cry so hard about anything that brings so much good to
+you, but I can’t help—help—help it!” sobbed Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No, it is not selfish, dear mother. You haven’t a selfish
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>vein in your body. It is natural. Didn’t you cry hard
+when you parted with your children who went to heaven,
+though you knew they were so much better off? And don’t
+everybody do so?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Ye—yes, and this is almost the same, Em. Almost as
+hard for me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Only I wish you wouldn’t, dear mother, for I shall be
+<i>just</i> the same to you as I was before, and come and help
+you to darn the stockings, or wash the dishes, <i>just</i> as I did
+before. And if you don’t scold me just as much as you
+do the other children and—and father,” added Em., with
+a peculiar smile, “I shall think you don’t love me half as
+much as you do them.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We always loved the child that has gone to heaven the
+best, Em., and you will be to me like that. You are a good
+girl, Em., it’s me that’s mean and selfish to cry about your
+good fortune, and begrudge you to that poor lady who has
+suffered so much in this world, and who hasn’t got no other
+child, but only you, while I have so many girls and boys;
+and another one a-coming, as sure as you live, Em.—another
+one a-coming. But don’t you say a word about that—it
+is awful! Now, there, child, go speak to your mamma.
+She is very patient to wait for you so long. I’ll go and
+comfort John by telling him what you say. Oh, <i>poor</i>
+John!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>And Susan Palmer arose and went out of the room to
+look for John, who had left the scene immediately at the
+end of the reading, to conceal all outward signs of his own
+inner trouble.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile, the very first movement of Em. to join her
+foster-mother having broken the spell of silence that had
+followed the reading of the confession, the other members
+of the family gathering had fallen to whispering, exclaiming,
+or questioning Dr. Willet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em.’s first impulse to join them was checked by a feeling
+of diffidence, and she remained for some moments seated
+where Susan Palmer had left her, waiting the pleasure of
+her elders.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At length she glanced toward her parents.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They were sitting talking earnestly together in a low
+voice, seemingly quite absorbed in each other, though they
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>had frequently looked across at their daughter without her
+consciousness of their regards.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Commodore Bruce and Dr. Willet sat together at some
+little distance from the other two, and somewhat nearer to
+Em., very gravely conversing, their gray heads bent closely
+together, the doctor pointing his arguments, whatever they
+were, with his right forefinger on his left palm; the commodore
+listening solemnly, nodding from time to time, and
+taking countless pinches of snuff.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>A few words of their discourse necessarily reached Em.’s
+ears.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He <i>must</i> hear it some time or other,” said Dr. Willet.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“True, true; most true”—from the commodore, with a
+nod, a sigh, and a huge pinch of snuff.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“He will bear it better now, perhaps, than at any other
+time.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Humph, perhaps, you know best.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“If you authorize me, I will myself take the disagreeable
+task off your hands and be his informant.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, yes, doctor, do! I could never tell him myself!
+Never!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>While the two old men were still conversing, Em. turned
+her eyes from them and fixed them upon her parents.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At the same instant Emolyn Bruce looked up and met
+her daughter’s gaze.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The lady smiled and opened her arms.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. arose and crossed the room and gave herself to that
+fond embrace.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now we know the reason why we loved each other so,
+my darling, don’t we?” murmured the lady, as she folded
+her daughter to her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear mamma, yes, for my heart was drawn to you
+from the very first moment I saw you. I longed for you to
+love me then,” answered Em., returning love for love and
+kiss for kiss.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Your papa, my dear,” whispered Emolyn, in a low
+tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Em. raised her head from the lady’s bosom to see bending
+over them both, the dark, handsome man whose very
+portrait she had worshiped long before she had ever seen
+him.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>“Have you no place left in your heart for me, little
+daughter?” inquired the stranger, as he drew the girl to his
+bosom and pressed his lips to hers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I loved you long before I ever saw you, dear papa,”
+whispered Em., half shyly, half fondly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How is that, my little girl? You loved me before you
+ever saw me?” inquired the pleased young papa.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes—and even before I ever <i>heard</i> of you,” said Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Explain,” said the object of this strange affection, with
+a smile and a caress.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I found your portrait in the attic at The Breezes,
+and I set it up in my room as an object of worship, having
+been struck with it before I knew to whom it belonged.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Who will say now that there is no instinct in natural
+affection?” demanded Leonidas.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>That question was unanswerable; but after a little while
+Em. turned to her mamma and asked another.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“So it was for your lost child you always provided a
+yearly outfit of dainty clothing?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, love; it was a fond, foolish fancy of mine; but not
+without benefit to others, since at the end of every year I
+gave away the raiment to those who needed it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>At this moment Dr. Willet came up to the group, and
+laying his hand on the shoulder of the last speaker, said
+gravely:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The commodore, Mr. Bruce, has authorized me to make
+a communication to you, which should no longer be withheld.
+Will you come with me into another room?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The gentleman so addressed at once arose and followed
+the doctor, who took him into the disused dining-room of
+the old house, closed and locked the door, and then and
+there told him the terrible story of the false accusation and
+the trial to which his young wife had been subjected in his
+absence.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Leonidas was frightfully agitated while listening. He
+strode up and down the floor, most bitterly reproaching
+himself, groaning, weeping, as only brave men can weep,
+and bursting into exclamations of pity, rage, remorse.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>It took all Dr. Willet’s skill and experience to reduce
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>the fearfully excited man to anything like calmness and
+rationality.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“The dying woman was but a weak tool in this diabolical
+work! She has done what she could to atone for her share
+in it, and now she is beyond the reach of punishment. But
+Malvina Warde! that fiend in human shape! <i>She</i> shall be
+prosecuted to the utmost extent of the law! I will spend
+every dollar I am worth to engage the best counsel to be
+had, to send her to the State prison.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Leonidas, the wretched woman is a family connection!
+You could not punish <i>her</i> without——” began the doctor;
+but Bruce interrupted him in a voice of thunder:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Don’t tell me about family credit, Dr. Willet! If she
+were my sister I should send her to the State Prison for
+such a cause!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The doctor ceased to expostulate, thinking it best to let
+the infuriated man rage himself to exhaustion.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Presently, however, Leonidas Bruce came up to Dr. Willet
+and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Doctor, if it had not been for you, Emolyn, <i>poor</i>
+Emolyn, could never have lived through that terrible ordeal.
+You, with your constant charity, your wisdom, and your
+medical skill, bore her up, and sustained her in mind and
+body, or she must have sunk and perished in that fiery furnace
+of affliction. Doctor! so long as I may live in this
+world—ay! and in the next—I shall never forget your invaluable
+services, never cease to remember them with glowing
+gratitude. I should have expressed this to you before,
+for it is as true as truth; but the thought of that fiendish
+woman’s work put everything else out of my head. But,
+doctor, believe me——”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Say no more, my dear friend. I have told you this
+tragic story to forestall any false or garbled account you
+might possibly receive of it. Now, my dear Leonidas, I
+advise you never to speak of it again, but to forget it as
+fast as you can.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>(“After I have sent that fiend in female form to the State
+Prison,” said Lonny to himself.)</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Now then, calm yourself and clear your brow, and let
+us go back to the ladies, lest they should think we are engaged
+here in some conspiracy.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>And they returned together to the parlor.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>By this time it was midnight, and the moon was up.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>The old commodore, resisting all John Palmer’s hospitable
+entreaties to spend the night at the Manor House,
+and declaring that he never slept out of his own bed if he
+could help it, ordered the carriage and the saddle horses to
+be brought to the door that he and his party might return to
+The Breezes.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Mamma, dearest,” whispered Em., coming to the side of
+her beautiful lady mother—“mamma, dearest, leave me
+here for a few days with my <i>poor mother</i>, till she gets used
+to thinking of this change. Her heart is almost broken,
+mamma. You will leave me here a little while?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, tender soul, I will leave you here to comfort your
+‘poor mother.’ My own heart bleeds for that ‘poor mother.’
+I will leave you with her for the present. It will not be
+for long, however; Susan’s own sense of right will cause her
+to bring you to me very soon.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John and Susan Palmer were touched even to tears
+when they learned that Em. was to be left with them for
+the present.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Just when he has returned and they have found her,
+and the lady so fond of her even before she knew who
+the child was!” whimpered Susan, drying her eyes on her
+apron.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘Sich is life,’” said John, in lack of anything else to
+say, and never had he quoted his favorite scrap of philosophy
+more <i>out</i> of place.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When the commodore and his party were entering the
+carriage and mounting the horses, Susan Palmer and Em.
+stood with the lantern to light them.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they had gone, Susan still lingered as if spellbound
+to the spot.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What is the matter, mother dear?” inquired the girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I was thinking, Em., that, after all, my poor baby did
+die.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Oh, dear mother, don’t use that word that you have so
+often told me isn’t true. The little baby didn’t die. It
+went to heaven with your own children, and instead of the
+baby on earth, you have another angel in heaven—an angel
+daughter as much fairer and brighter than she could have
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>been on earth, as—look up, dear mother!—as that beautiful,
+brilliant star you see overhead, is fairer and brighter
+than this dull lantern we hold.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>When they re-entered the house, Em. said:</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“I am going upstairs to send old Aunt Monica to bed,
+and to take her place by poor Aunty Whitlock. I can never
+believe she was wicked at heart.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Meanwhile, Commodore Bruce and his party pursued
+their moonlight journey home, where they arrived about
+two o’clock in the morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>To their surprise they found the family all up and the
+house lighted above and below.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“They must have sat up for us. It was foolish for them
+all to sit up for us,” said the old commodore, as he led the
+way into the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>They were met in the drawing-room by Mrs. Templeton.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Did you meet the messenger?” inquired that lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“No; what messenger?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Aleck was sent to the Wilderness to tell you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“What?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Malvina Warde is dead.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“DEAD!” echoed the whole party in consternation.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“When?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“How did it happen?”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It seems that she did not sleep well, and about an hour
+ago, hearing the clock strike one, and hearing the family
+still stirring below, she woke up her daughter, who was
+sleeping beside her, and asked what kept the family up so
+late. Belinda replied that they were waiting for the commodore
+and his party, who had gone to the Wilderness
+Manor-house to see the dying woman, Ann Whitlock.
+Whereupon Mrs. Warde got out of bed and went across the
+room, it was thought to procure a glass of water. In coming
+back to the bed she fell heavily to the floor. Belinda
+sprang out of bed and ran to her mother’s help, and raised
+her head from the floor. But she was quite dead.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“She had organic disease of the heart. It might have
+been expected,” said Dr. Willet curtly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord,”
+reverently murmured Leonidas Bruce, raising his hat.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>Whether Malvina Warde died of heart disease or of prussic
+acid self-administered, can never now be known. Her
+remains lie in the family burial ground in the Wilderness
+Manor, beside those of her tool and victim, Ann Whitlock,
+who penitently and peacefully expired the same night, with
+her hand clasped in that of her beloved foster-child, Em.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Belinda Warde was mercifully spared the knowledge of
+her mother’s crime. Immediately after the funeral she
+accepted the invitation of Mrs. Delaney Fanning, and went
+to make her home with that lady at beautiful “Belle Plains,”
+until her marriage the next year to a middle-aged colonel
+of marines.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Susan Palmer fully justified Emolyn’s faith in her sense
+of right. After keeping Em. for a few days, she voluntarily
+brought the girl to The Breezes, and willingly and
+cheerfully surrendered her to the charge of her rightful
+parents.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“We bring up our darters in care and toil, and if we
+don’t lose ’em by death, we’re most sure to lose ’em by marriage.
+So what dif’ence do it make anyway, Susan, my
+dear, when ‘sich is life?’” said John when his wife came
+back without his favorite child.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Em. loves us and we love her, therefore we can never
+really lose her in this world nor the next,” answered
+Susan.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Among all who rejoiced in the good fortune of our little
+girl, none did so more sincerely than the poor colored people
+of the Wilderness Manor, whose affections her goodness
+had won.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Miss Em. deserves it all,” said old ’Sias, the gatekeeper—“Miss
+Em. deserves all that, and more too. For
+I never knowed sich a little angel as she is in all the days
+of my yethly pilgrimage, and that mus’ be by dis time ’bout
+two hundred years, chillun! Two hundred years, more or
+less—more or <i>less</i>, honies; for I wouldn’t be guilty of a
+falsehood on no account,” added ’Sias, solemnly.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Yes, Miss Em. was a good gal, sure enough,” put in
+Aunt Sally. “Miss Em. never meant no harm, and she
+never did nothing to nobody.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“‘<i>Never did nothing to nobody!</i>’” repeated old ’Sias, in
+supreme scorn. “<i>That’s</i> your notion of an angel and of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>Miss Em., is it? You put my pipe out with your ‘Never
+did nothing to nobody!’ Miss Em. was always doing good
+to everybody, there!”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“Well, I thinks as people what means no harm and never
+does nothing to nobody is a heap gooder than them as is
+always a-aggrawating people,” retorted Sally.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Before taking leave of old ’Sias I must mention one circumstance
+of which I hope my readers will be glad, for his
+sake.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Sereny, to use her own words, “got religion.” She really
+<i>did</i>, if a total though gradual change of heart and life and
+manners for the better was any proof of it. And she became
+at last what she had promised to be at first, the comfort
+of her poor, old, patient husband’s latter days.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>In the spring of the following year Ronald and Emolyn
+were married.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Ronald, who was, in the right of his wife, the owner and
+the heir of more wealth than he would ever know what to do
+with, resigned his commission in the Navy.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>“It is all very well,” he said, “to talk of the duty of
+serving one’s country, but there are hundreds of men who
+are just as able and as willing to serve as I am, and who
+need my position a great deal more than I do. I must resign
+to make room for one of them—as well as to stay home
+with my bonny bride.”</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Of course Em. agreed with him in this.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Their honeymoon was spent at Edengarden, while the
+Wilderness Manor-house, which had been given to Em. as
+her marriage portion, was being renovated to receive the
+newly wedded pair.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>John Palmer and his family were to continue to live in
+the Red Wing and manage the estate.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Mr. and Mrs. Leonidas Bruce consented to reside at The
+Breezes as long as the aged commodore should live.</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>THE END</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='pbb'>
+ <hr class='pb c003'>
+</div>
+<div class='border'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div><span class='xlarge'>POPULAR BOOKS</span></div>
+    <div class='c002'>By MRS. E. D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH</div>
+    <div class='c003'>In Handsome Cloth Binding</div>
+    <div class='c003'>Price per volume,&#8196; &#8196; &#8196; 60 Cents</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Beautiful Fiend, A</div>
+      <div class='line'>Brandon Coyle’s Wife</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to A Skeleton in the Closet</div>
+      <div class='line'>Bride’s Fate, The</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to The Changed Brides</div>
+      <div class='line'>Bride’s Ordeal, The</div>
+      <div class='line'>Capitola’s Peril</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to the Hidden Hand</div>
+      <div class='line'>Changed Brides, The</div>
+      <div class='line'>Cruel as the Grave</div>
+      <div class='line'>David Lindsay</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Gloria</div>
+      <div class='line'>Deed Without a Name, A</div>
+      <div class='line'>Dorothy Harcourt’s Secret</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to A Deed Without a Name</div>
+      <div class='line'>“Em”</div>
+      <div class='line'>Em’s Husband</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to “Em”</div>
+      <div class='line'>Fair Play</div>
+      <div class='line'>For Whose Sake</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Why Did He Wed Her?</div>
+      <div class='line'>For Woman’s Love</div>
+      <div class='line'>Fulfilling Her Destiny</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to When Love Commands</div>
+      <div class='line'>Gloria</div>
+      <div class='line'>Her Love or Her life</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to The Bride’s Ordeal</div>
+      <div class='line'>Her Mother’s Secret</div>
+      <div class='line'>Hidden Hand, The</div>
+      <div class='line'>How He Won Her</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Fair Play</div>
+      <div class='line'>Ishmael</div>
+      <div class='line'>Leap in the Dark, A</div>
+      <div class='line'>Lilith</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to the Unloved Wife</div>
+      <div class='line'>Little Nea’s Engagement</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Nearest and Dearest</div>
+      <div class='line'>Lost Heir, The</div>
+      <div class='line'>Lost Lady of Lone, The</div>
+      <div class='line'>Love’s Bitterest Cup</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Her Mother’s Secret</div>
+      <div class='line'>Mysterious Marriage, The</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to A Leap in the Dark</div>
+      <div class='line'>Nearest and Dearest</div>
+      <div class='line'>Noble Lord, A</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to The Lost Heir</div>
+      <div class='line'>Self-Raised</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Ishmael</div>
+      <div class='line'>Skeleton in the Closet, A</div>
+      <div class='line'>Struggle of a Soul, The</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to The Lost Lady of Lone</div>
+      <div class='line'>Sweet Love’s Atonement</div>
+      <div class='line'>Test of Love, The</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to A Tortured Heart</div>
+      <div class='line'>To His Fate</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Dorothy Harcourt’s Secret</div>
+      <div class='line'>Tortured Heart, A</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to The Trail of the Serpent</div>
+      <div class='line'>Trail of the Serpent, The</div>
+      <div class='line'>Tried for Her Life</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Cruel as the Grave</div>
+      <div class='line'>Unloved Wife, The</div>
+      <div class='line'>Unrequited Love, An</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to For Woman’s Love</div>
+      <div class='line'>Victor’s Triumph</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to A Beautiful Fiend</div>
+      <div class='line'>When Love Commands</div>
+      <div class='line'>When Shadows Die</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Love’s Bitterest Cup</div>
+      <div class='line'>Why Did He Wed Her?</div>
+      <div class='line'>Zenobia’s Suitors</div>
+      <div class='line in2'>Sequel to Sweet Love’s Atonement</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+  <div class='nf-center'>
+    <div>For Sale by all Booksellers or will be sent postpaid on receipt of price,</div>
+    <div>A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS</div>
+    <div>52 Duane Street        New York</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+  <div class='nf-center'>
+    <div>Copyright 1876–1892</div>
+    <div><span class='sc'>By Robert Bonner’s Sons</span></div>
+    <div>Renewal granted to Mrs. Charlotte Southworth Lawrence, 1904</div>
+    <div class='c003'>EM’S HUSBAND</div>
+    <div class='c003'>Printed by special arrangement with <span class='sc'>Street &#38; Smith</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='chapter ph2'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div>Good Fiction Worth Reading.</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the field
+of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and diplomacy
+that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>A COLONIAL FREE-LANCE.</strong> A story of American Colonial Times. By
+Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson
+Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>A book that appeals to Americans as a vivid picture of Revolutionary
+scenes. The story is a strong one, a thrilling one. It causes the true
+American to flush with excitement, to devour chapter after chapter, until
+the eyes smart, and it fairly smokes with patriotism. The love story is a
+singularly charming idyl.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>THE TOWER OF LONDON.</strong> A Historical Romance of the Times of Lady
+Jane Grey and Mary Tudor. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with
+four illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>This romance of the “Tower of London” depicts the Tower as palace,
+prison and fortress, with many historical associations. The era is the
+middle of the sixteenth century.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>The story is divided into two parts, one dealing with Lady Jane Grey,
+and the other with Mary Tudor as Queen, introducing other notable characters
+of the era. Throughout the story holds the interest of the reader
+in the midst of intrigue and conspiracy, extending considerably over a
+half a century.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING.</strong> A Romance of the American Revolution.
+By Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson
+Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>Mr. Hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of Yankee bravery,
+and true love that thrills from beginning to end, with the spirit of the
+Revolution. The heart beats quickly, and we feel ourselves taking a
+part in the exciting scenes described. His whole story is so absorbing
+that you will sit up far into the night to finish it. As a love romance
+it is charming.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>GARTHOWEN.</strong> A story of a Welsh Homestead. By Allen Raine. Cloth,
+12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>“This is a little idyl of humble life and enduring love, laid bare before
+us, very real and pure, which in its telling shows us some strong points of
+Welsh character—the pride, the hasty temper, the quick dying out of wrath....
+We call this a well-written story, interesting alike through its
+romance and its glimpses into another life than ours. A delightful and
+clever picture of Welsh village life. The result is excellent.”—Detroit Free
+Press.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>MIFANWY.</strong> The story of a Welsh Singer. By Allan Raine. Cloth,
+12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>“This is a love story, simple, tender and pretty as one would care to
+read. The action throughout is brisk and pleasing; the characters, it is apparent
+at once, are as true to life as though the author had known them
+all personally. Simple in all its situations, the story is worked up in that
+touching and quaint strain which never grows wearisome, no matter how
+often the lights and shadows of love are introduced. It rings true, and
+does not tax the imagination.”—Boston Herald.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers,
+A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52–58 Duane St., New York.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>DARNLEY.</strong> A Romance of the times of Henry VIII. and Cardinal Wolsey.
+By G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
+Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>In point of publication, “Darnley” is that work by Mr. James which
+follows “Richelieu,” and, if rumor can be credited. It was owing to the advice
+and insistence of our own Washington Irving that we are indebted
+primarily for the story, the young author questioning whether he could
+properly paint the difference in the characters of the two great cardinals.
+And it is not surprising that James should have hesitated; he had been
+eminently successful in giving to the world the portrait of Richelieu as a
+man, and by attempting a similar task with Wolsey as the theme, was
+much like tempting fortune. Irving insisted that “Darnley” came naturally
+in sequence, and this opinion being supported by Sir Walter Scott,
+the author set about the work.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>As a historical romance “Darnley” is a book that can be taken up
+pleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle charm which
+those who are strangers to the works of G. P. R. James have claimed was
+only to be imparted by Dumas.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>If there was nothing more about the work to attract especial attention,
+the account of the meeting of the kings on the historic “field of the cloth of
+gold” would entitle the story to the most favorable consideration of every
+reader.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>There is really but little pure romance in this story, for the author has
+taken care to imagine love passages only between those whom history has
+credited with having entertained the tender passion one for another, and
+he succeeds in making such lovers as all the world must love.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>CAPTAIN BRAND, OF THE SCHOONER CENTIPEDE.</strong> By Lieut.
+Henry A. Wise, U.S.N. (Harry Gringo). Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations
+by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>The re-publication of this story will please those lovers of sea yarns
+who delight in so much of the salty flavor of the ocean as can come through
+the medium of a printed page, for never has a story of the sea and those
+“who go down in ships” been written by one more familiar with the scenes
+depicted.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>The one book of this gifted author which is best remembered, and which
+will be read with pleasure for many years to come, is “Captain Brand,”
+who, as the author states on his title page, was a “pirate of eminence in
+the West Indies.” As a sea story pure and simple, “Captain Brand” has
+never been excelled, and as a story of piratical life, told without the usual
+embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no equal.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>NICK OF THE WOODS.</strong> A story of the Early Settlers of Kentucky. By
+Robert Montgomery Bird. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson
+Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>This most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life in
+Kentucky was originally published in the year 1837. The novel, long out of
+print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its realistic presentation of
+Indian and frontier life in the early days of settlement in the South, narrated
+in the tale with all the art of a practiced writer. A very charming
+love romance runs through the story. This new and tasteful edition of
+“Nick of the Woods” will be certain to make many new admirers for
+this enchanting story from Dr. Bird’s clever and versatile pen.</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c010'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, <strong>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52–58 Duane St., New York</strong>.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>GUY FAWKES.</strong> A Romance of the Gunpowder Treason. By Wm. Harrison
+Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank.
+Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>The “Gunpowder Plot” was a modest attempt to blow up Parliament,
+the King and his Counsellors. James of Scotland, then King of England,
+was weak-minded and extravagant. He hit upon the efficient scheme of
+extorting money from the people by imposing taxes on the Catholics. In
+their natural resentment to this extortion, a handful of bold spirits concluded
+to overthrow the government. Finally the plotters were arrested,
+and the King put to torture Guy Fawkes and the other prisoners with
+royal vigor. A very intense love story runs through the entire romance.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>THE SPIRIT OF THE BORDER.</strong> A Romance of the Early Settlers in the
+Ohio Valley. By Zane Grey. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson
+Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>A book rather out of the ordinary is this “Spirit of the Border.” The
+main thread of the story has to do with the work of the Moravian missionaries
+in the Ohio Valley. Incidentally the reader is given details of the
+frontier life of those hardy pioneers who broke the wilderness for the planting
+of this great nation. Chief among these, as a matter of course, is
+Lewis Wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and at the same time the most
+admirable of all the brave men who spent their lives battling with the
+savage foe, that others might dwell in comparative security.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>Details of the establishment and destruction of the Moravian “Village
+of Peace” are given at some length, and with minute description. The
+efforts to Christianize the Indians are described as they never have been
+before, and the author has depicted the characters of the leaders of the
+several Indian tribes with great care, which of itself will be of interest to
+the student.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>By no means least among the charms of the story are the vivid word-pictures
+of the thrilling adventures, and the intense paintings of the beauties
+of nature, as seen in the almost unbroken forests.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>It is the spirit of the frontier which is described, and one can by it,
+perhaps, the better understand why men, and women, too, willingly braved
+every privation and danger that the westward progress of the star of empire
+might be the more certain and rapid. A love story, simple and tender,
+runs through the book.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>RICHELIEU.</strong> A tale of France in the reign of King Louis XIII. By G. P.
+R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>In 1829 Mr. James published his first romance, “Richelieu,” and was
+recognized at once as one of the masters of the craft.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>In this book he laid the story during those later days of the great cardinal’s
+life, when his power was beginning to wane, but while it was
+yet sufficiently strong to permit now and then of volcanic outbursts which
+overwhelmed foes and carried friends to the topmost wave of prosperity.
+One of the most striking portions of the story is that of Cinq Mar’s conspiracy;
+the method of conducting criminal cases, and the political trickery
+resorted to by royal favorites, affording a better insight into the statecraft
+of that day than can be had even by an exhaustive study of history.
+It is a powerful romance of love and diplomacy, and in point of thrilling
+and absorbing interest has never been excelled.</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c010'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, <strong>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52–58 Duane St., New York</strong>.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>WINDSOR CASTLE.</strong> A Historical Romance of the Reign of Henry VIII.,
+Catharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth,
+12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>“Windsor Castle” is the story of Henry VIII., Catharine, and Anne
+Boleyn. “Bluff King Hal,” although a well-loved monarch, was none too
+good a one in many ways. Of all his selfishness and unwarrantable acts,
+none was more discreditable than his divorce from Catharine, and his marriage
+to the beautiful Anne Boleyn. The King’s love was as brief as it
+was vehement. Jane Seymour, waiting maid on the Queen, attracted him,
+and Anne Boleyn was forced to the block to make room for her successor.
+This romance is one of extreme interest to all readers.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>HORSESHOE ROBINSON.</strong> A tale of the Tory Ascendency in South Carolina
+in 1780. By John P. Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J.
+Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>Among the old favorites in the field of what is known as historical fiction,
+there are none which appeal to a larger number of Americans than
+Horseshoe Robinson, and this because it is the only story which depicts
+with fidelity to the facts the heroic efforts of the colonists in South Carolina
+to defend their homes against the brutal oppression of the British
+under such leaders as Cornwallis and Tarleton.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>The reader is charmed with the story of love which forms the thread
+of the tale, and then impressed with the wealth of detail concerning those
+times. The picture of the manifold sufferings of the people, is never overdrawn,
+but painted faithfully and honestly by one who spared neither
+time nor labor in his efforts to present in this charming love story all that
+price in blood and tears which the Carolinians paid as their share in the
+winning of the republic.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>Take it all in all, “Horseshoe Robinson” is a work which should be
+found on every book-shelf, not only because it is a most entertaining
+story, but because of the wealth of valuable information concerning the
+colonists which it contains. That it has been brought out once more, well
+illustrated, is something which will give pleasure to thousands who have
+long desired an opportunity to read the story again, and to the many who
+have tried vainly in these latter days to procure a copy that they might
+read it for the first time.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'><strong>THE PEARL OF ORR’S ISLAND.</strong> A story of the Coast of Maine. By
+Harriet Beecher Stowe. Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>Written prior to 1862, the “Pearl of Orr’s Island” is ever new; a book
+filled with delicate fancies, such as seemingly array themselves anew each
+time one reads them. One sees the “sea like an unbroken mirror all
+around the pine-girt, lonely shores of Orr’s Island,” and straightway
+comes “the heavy, hollow moan of the surf on the beach, like the wild
+angry howl of some savage animal.”</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>Who can read of the beginning of that sweet life, named Mara, which
+came into this world under the very shadow of the Death angel’s wings,
+without having an intense desire to know how the premature bud blossomed?
+Again and again one lingers over the descriptions of the character
+of that baby boy Moses, who came through the tempest, amid the
+angry billows, pillowed on his dead mother’s breast.</p>
+
+<p class='c012'>There is no more faithful portrayal of New England life than that
+which Mrs. Stowe gives in “The Pearl of Orr’s Island.”</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c010'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, <strong>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52–58 Duane St., New York</strong>.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='chapter ph2'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div>The Popular Charles Garvice Books</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<div  class='figleft id002'>
+<img src='images/i_317.jpg' alt='[book]' class='ig001'>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c008'>This series of Popular Fiction comprises
+the best novels written by that
+popular author, Charles Garvice, well-known
+throughout England and America
+for his stories dealing with the lives and
+interests of the common people.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>Bound in Handsome Cloth Binding.</p>
+
+<p class='c009'>All Copyright Books. <strong>Price, 60 Cents.</strong></p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c010'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'><strong>A Heritage of Hate</strong>, or A Change of Heart.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>A Life’s Mistake</strong>, or Love’s Forgiveness.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>A Modern Juliet</strong>, or The Unknown Future.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>At Love’s Cost</strong>, or Her Rival’s Triumph.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Better than Life</strong>, or Her Bitter Cup.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>By Devious Ways</strong>, or Love Will Find a Way.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Heart for Heart</strong>, or Love’s Queer Pranks.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>In Cupid’s Chains</strong>, or A Slave for Life.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Just A Girl</strong>, or The Strange Duchess.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Love, The Tyrant</strong>, or Where Her Heart Led.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Maida</strong>, or A Child of Sorrow.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Marcia Drayton</strong>, or Her Heart’s First Choice.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Nell of Shorne Mills</strong>, or One Heart’s Burden.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Once in A Life</strong>, or The Secret of Her Heart.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>Queen Kate</strong>, or A Willful Lassie.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>The Outcast of the Family</strong>, or A Battle of Love and Pride.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>The Story of A Passion</strong>, or Guided by Her Heart.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>The Shadow of Her Life</strong>, or Love’s Mistake.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>’Twas Love’s Fault</strong>, or A Young Girl’s Trust.</div>
+      <div class='line'><strong>With All Her Heart</strong>, or Love Begets Faith.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c010'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, <strong>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52–58 Duane St., New York</strong>.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='pbb'>
+ <hr class='pb c003'>
+</div>
+<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'>
+
+<div class='chapter ph2'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<table class='table0'>
+  <tr>
+    <th class='c013'>Page</th>
+    <th class='c013'>Changed from</th>
+    <th class='c014'>Changed to</th>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c015'><a href='#t22'>22</a></td>
+    <td class='c016'>“Em., hush! you’re crazy!” broken in Susan Palmer</td>
+    <td class='c017'>“Em., hush! you’re crazy!” broke in Susan Palmer</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c015'><a href='#t43'>43</a></td>
+    <td class='c016'>clapped her hands over he own lips</td>
+    <td class='c017'>clapped her hands over her own lips</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+
+
+
+    <td class='c015'>everywhere</td>
+    <td class='c016'>Abishav or Abishag</td>
+    <td class='c017'>Abishey</td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+
+  <ul  class='ul_1'>
+    <li>Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained.
+    </li>
+  </ul>
+
+</div>
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76916 ***</div>
+  </body>
+  <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57e (with regex) on 2025-09-01 22:43:39 GMT -->
+</html>
+
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author	pgww <pgww@lists.pglaf.org>	2025-09-23 02:22:01 -0700
committer	pgww <pgww@lists.pglaf.org>	2025-09-23 02:22:01 -0700
commit	ec748ecc9bfc3d7d8cf07125eec648f5d741e0b6 (patch)
tree	aaf843e4f8ca61b80a14d34d085768350d50bab8 /76916-h