im it of
me when he pleases," and turning around she moved toward the dock,
raising her eyes to Thurston's face, and offering her hand.

How he met that look--how he clasped that hand--need not be said--their
hearts were too full for speech.

The tumult in the court-room was at length subdued by the rising of the
judge to make a speech--a very brief one:

"Mr. Willcoxen is discharged, and the court adjourned," and then the
judge came down from his seat, and the officers cried, "make way for the
court to pass." And the way was made. The judge came up to the group,
and shook hands first with Mr. Willcoxen, whom he earnestly
congratulated, and then with Marian, who was an old and esteemed
acquaintance, and so bowing gravely, he passed out.

Still the crowd pressed on, and among them came Commodore Waugh and his
family, for whom way was immediately made.

Mrs. Waugh wept and smiled, and exclaimed: "Oh! Hebe! Oh! Lapwing!"

The commodore growled out certain inarticulate anathemas, which he
intended should be taken as congratulations, since the people seemed to
expect it of him.

And Mary L'Oiseau pulled down her mouth, cast up her eyes and crossed
herself when she saw the consecrated hand of Sister Theresa clasped in
that of Cloudy!

But Thurston's high spirit could not brook this scene an instant longer.
And love as well as pride required its speedy close. Marian was resting
on his arm--he felt the clasp of her dear hand--he saw her living
face--the angel brow--the clear eyes--the rich auburn tresses, rippling
around the blooming cheek--he heard her dulcet tones--yet--it seemed
too like a dream!--he needed to realize this happiness.

"Friends," he said, "I thank you for the interest you show in us. For
those whose faith in me remained unshaken in my darkest hour, I find no
words good enough to express what I shall ever feel. But you must all
know how exhausting this day has been, and how needful repose is"--his
eyes here fell fondly and proudly upon Marian--"to this lady on my arm.
After to-morrow we shall be happy to see any of our friends at
Dell-Delight." And bowing slightly from right to left, he led his Marian
through the opening crowd.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

REUNION.

Who shall follow them, or intrude on the sacredness of their
reconciliation, or relate with what broken tones, and frequent stops and
tears and smiles, and clinging embraces, their mutual explanations were
made?

At last Marian, rais