earlier bearing partially wore
away, relieving the unnatural tension which had almost turned an
informal social function into the observance of a religious rite. Then
the shadows lengthened, and two of the servants brought out a rustic
table laden with eatables, with a huge bowl of strawberries as a
centerpiece. There was no need of decoration beyond its cut-glass and
rare china, for each dish was a selected masterpiece.

"A Class Day spread in February!" Merry exclaimed enthusiastically. "How
we shall miss these strawberries when we get home!"

"'Strawberries may come and strawberries may go, but prunes go on
forever,'" Cosden added, glancing at Edith for approval.

The whole experience affected Mrs. Thatcher deeply. She saw the Hamlen
of her youth full of promise and ambition, she saw the Hamlen of to-day
bound hand and foot in the bonds of his false sophistry. What would he
have been had she not broken her word to him? She was vaguely conscious
that her present emotion was deeper than any she had ever been called
upon to feel for her husband or for her children; she half-sensed the
fact that previously her deepest feelings had been for herself. Now she
felt a sympathy which demanded restitution, and the impulse must be
worthy since it was for the happiness of some one other than herself. Of
course, Merry should not be coerced against her will,--but if it could
only be!

Every episode, however epochful, must end, and Marian rose at length,
indicating that the good-byes must be spoken.

"You'll be down to see us off, Philip?" she asked.

"No," he answered unexpectedly; "if you will excuse me I should prefer
to watch you from my Point up there. I want you to remember me amid my
own surroundings, rather than as a part of something to which I don't
belong."

* * * * *

Next morning, as the little tender passed Spanish Point, carrying its
passengers to the "Arcadian," three persons stood in the stern waving to
a solitary figure standing erect and motionless. When he made out the
greetings from the boat he raised his arm high above his head and held
it there, like a Roman of old, in stately recognition. He gave no sign
that he saw their further salutes, yet they knew he could not fail to
see them. They remained there until the figure became smaller and
smaller, and then finally was cut off altogether by a turn in their
course.

"This is too much for me!" Mrs. Thatcher cried suddenly