apable of committing such
an one. Nor does she require to be assured of my undying love and faith.
She is assured of that. But tell her to be of good cheer, to bear this
temporary separation patiently, and to wait hopefully our speedy
meeting in happier days. Will you do this, my friend?"

"Most faithfully," answered Mr. Lyle.

"And then I wish you to start at once upon your wedding tours. They must
not be further delayed on my account."

"Look here, Lytton," said Stephen Lyle, earnestly. "I speak for myself
and also for Brent, who feels just as I do. We start upon no bridal
tours until you are out of this trouble. We could not leave you in your
trouble. And our girls, I am sure, would not leave your wife in her
sorrow. So that is all over. What I have to propose is this: That I
bring our Laura home here to-morrow. And that we remain here to keep you
company, while Victor--I mean Brent--and Electra stay for the present at
Blue Cliffs as the guests of Mrs. Alden Lytton."

"I hope you approve the plan. We talked it over and settled it all while
we were in the magistrate's office attending the examination," added
Joseph Brent.

They had by this time reached the gates of the pretty cottage.

Alden Lytton stopped, turned around and grasped a hand of each faithful
friend. For a moment he could not speak for the strong emotion that
choked him.

"God bless you!" he said, at length, in a half suffocated voice. "God
bless you both! I have surely found one 'precious jewel' in the head of
this 'toad'--the priceless jewel of your friendship!"

CHAPTER XLVII.

HOW EMMA HEARD THE NEWS.

An angel guard--
Chariots of fire, horses of fire encamp,
To keep thee safe.
--MRS. ELLET.

It was eleven o'clock that night when the Rev. Mr. Lyle and Mr. Brent
reached Blue Cliffs on their return from Wendover.

Of course all the guests of the bridal reception had long since gone
away. The house was closed and all the windows were dark except those of
the library, where the gentlemen found the two brides and their hostess
sitting up and awaiting their return.

"Where is Alden? Is he not with you?" anxiously inquired Emma, coming to
meet them.

"Our friend might certainly have come back with us if he had chosen to
do so; but he deemed it better to remain at Wendover to-night, and we
agreed with him. He is at my house," answered Mr. Lyle.

"You have something painful to