me, and
which I was leaving forever. I say I did not regret it, and though I
was leaving my old haunts and companions and friends so dear to me, I
was finding them all again in Jane, who was friend as well as wife.

Mary's letter was in one of my boxes which had been delayed, and Jane
was to forward it to me when it should come. When I told Brandon of
it, I dwelt with emphasis upon its bulk, and he, of course, was
delighted, and impatient to have it. I had put the letter in the box,
but there was something else which Mary had sent to him that I had
carried with me. It was a sum of money sufficient to pay the debt
against his father's estate, and in addition, to buy some large tracts
of land adjoining. Brandon did not hesitate to accept the money, and
seemed glad that it had come from Mary, she, doubtless, being the only
person from whom he would have taken it.

One of Brandon's sisters had married a rich merchant at Ipswich, and
another was soon to marry a Scotch gentleman. The brother would
probably never marry, so Brandon would eventually have to take charge
of the estates. In fact, he afterwards lived there many years, and as
Jane and I had purchased a little estate near by, which had been
generously added to by Jane's uncle, we saw a great deal of him. But I
am getting ahead of my story again.

The d'Angouleme complication troubled me greatly, notwithstanding my
faith in Mary, and although I had resolved to say nothing to Brandon
about it, I soon told him plainly what I thought and feared.

He replied with a low, contented little laugh.

"Do not fear for Mary, I do not. That young fellow is of different
stuff, I know, from the old king, but I have all faith in her purity
and ability to take care of herself. Before she left she promised to
be true to me, whatever befell, and I trust her entirely. I am not so
unhappy by any means as one would expect. Am I?" And I was compelled
to admit that he certainly was not.

So it seems they had met, as Jane and I suspected, but how Mary
managed it I am sure I cannot tell; she beat the very deuce for having
her own way, by hook or by crook. Then came the bulky letter, which
Brandon pounced upon and eagerly devoured. I leave out most of the
sentimental passages, which, like effervescent wine, lose flavor
quickly. She said--in part:

"_To Master Brandon:_

"Sir and Dear Friend, Greeting--After leaving thee, long time had
I that mighty grief and dole within my heart