t of our due; and I should be such a coward that I couldn't tell the
Board what I thought of our pusillanimity."

"It seems rather hard for men to act magnanimously in a corporate
capacity, or even humanely," said Matt. "But I don't know but there
would be an obscure and negative justice in such action. It would be
right for the company to accept the property, if it was right for
Northwick's daughter to offer it, and I think it is most unquestionably
right for her to do that."

"Do you, Matt? Well, well," said Hilary, willing to be comforted,
"perhaps you're right. You must send Louise and your mother over to see
her."

"Well, perhaps not just now. She's proud and sensitive, and perhaps it
might seem intrusive, at this juncture?"

"Intrusive? Nonsense! She'll be glad to see them. Send them right over!"

Matt knew this was his father's way of yielding the point, and he went
away with his promise to say nothing of the matter they had talked of
till he heard from Putney. After that would be time enough to ascertain
the whereabouts of Northwick, which no one knew yet, not even his own
children.

What his father had said in praise of Suzette gave his love for her
unconscious approval; but at the same time it created a sort of comedy
situation, and Matt was as far from the comic as he hoped he was from
the romantic, in his mood. When he thought of going direct to her, he
hated to be going, like the hero of a novel, to offer himself to the
heroine at the moment her fortunes were darkest; but he knew that he was
only like that outwardly, and inwardly was simply and humbly her lover,
who wished in any way or any measure he might, to be her friend and
helper. He thought he might put his offer in some such form as would
leave her free to avail herself a little if not much of his longing to
comfort and support her in her trial. But at last he saw that he could
do nothing for the present, and that it would be cruel and useless to
give her more than the tried help of a faithful friend. He did not go
back to Hatboro', as he longed to do. He went back to his farm, and
possessed his soul in such patience as he could.

XII.

Suzette came back from Putney's office with such a disheartened look
that Adeline had not the courage to tell her of Matt's visit and the
errand he had undertaken for her. The lawyer had said no more than that
he did not believe anything could be done. He was glad they had decided
not to transfer th