was fortunate, however, for he was the better able to restrain his
feelings.

"She has had a long satisfactory sleep--is still sleeping--and is much
better," was the nurse's report as they entered. The daughter looked
with surprise at the weak worn man who was led forward. Laronde did not
observe her. His eyes were fixed on the bed where the pale thin figure
lay. One of Marie's hands lay outside the blanket. The husband knelt,
took it gently and laid his cheek on it. Then he began to stroke it
softly. The action awoke the sleeper, but she did not open her eyes.

"Go on," she murmured gently; "you always used to do that when I was ill
or tired--don't stop it yet, as you _always_ do now, and go away."

The sound of her own voice seemed to awake her. She turned her head and
her eyes opened wide while she gazed in his face with a steady stare.
Uttering a sharp cry she seized him round the neck, exclaiming, "Praise
the Lord!"

"Yes, Marie--my own! Praise the Lord, for He has been merciful to me--a
sinner."

The unbeliever, whom lash, torture, toil, and woe could not soften, was
broken now, for "the goodness of the Lord had led him to repentance."

Did the middy, after all, marry Hester, _alias_ Geo'giana Sommers? No,
of course, he did not! He was a full-fledged lieutenant in his
Majesty's navy when he did that! But it was not long--only a couple of
years after his return from slavery--when he threw little Hester into a
state of tremendous consternation one day by abruptly proposing that
they should get spliced immediately, and thenceforward sail the sea of
life in company. Hester said timidly she couldn't think of it. George
said boldly he didn't want her to _think_ of it, but to _do it_!

This was putting the subject in quite a new light, so she smiled,
blushed, and hurriedly hid her face on his shoulder!

Of course all the fugitive slaves were at the wedding. There was
likewise a large quantity of dark-blue cloth, gold lace, and brass
buttons at it.

Peter the Great came out strong upon that occasion. Although he
consented to do menial work, he utterly refused to accept a menial
position. Indeed he claimed as much right to, and interest in, the
bride as her own radiant "fadder," for had he not been the chief
instrument in "sabing dem bof from de Moors?"

As no one ventured to deny the claim, Peter retired to the privacy of
the back kitchen, put his arm round Angelica's neck, told her that he
h