springs of the true life. If some of
the hero's actions are doubtful, his motives are always good. The
greatest crime against the moral law is to be without a high aim; and
while a thousand errors and short-comings may be forgiven, the want of a
good intention is the capital sin which may not be pardoned. While we
cannot ask or expect all young men to accomplish what Ernest Thornton
did, we may point to his high aims and good intentions, and say to the
reader, "Go thou and do likewise."

HARRISON SQUARE, MASS.,
November 29, 1867.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE
IN WHICH ERNEST THORNTON BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH MISS
KATE LORAINE 11

CHAPTER II.
IN WHICH ERNEST LISTENS TO THE STORY OF MISS KATE LORAINE 22

CHAPTER III.
IN WHICH ERNEST CALLS UPON MRS. LORAINE 33

CHAPTER IV.
IN WHICH ERNEST RELEASES THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN FROM HER
PRISON 44

CHAPTER V.
IN WHICH ERNEST IS AWAKENED BY A LOUD KNOCKING 56

CHAPTER VI.
IN WHICH ERNEST GETS AN IDEA 67

CHAPTER VII.
IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. TOM THORNTON 78

CHAPTER VIII.
IN WHICH ERNEST VISITS HIS UNCLE'S LIBRARY 89

CHAPTER IX.
IN WHICH ERNEST, AFTER A SUCCESSFUL RETREAT, FALLS
INTO A TRAP 100

CHAPTER X.
IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW FOR LIBERTY 111

CHAPTER XI.
IN WHICH ERNEST MAKES GOOD HIS RETREAT FROM THE COTTAGE 122

CHAPTER XII.
IN WHICH ERNEST OBTAINS SOME VALUABLE LETTERS 132

CHAPTER XIII.
IN WHICH ERNEST LEAVES PARKVILLE, AND TAKES THE
TRAIN FOR THE EASTWARD 144

CHAPTER XIV.
IN WHICH ERNEST WONDERS WHAT TOM THORNTON WILL DO,
AND FINDS OUT 155

CHAPTER XV.
IN WHICH ERNEST FACES THE ENEMY 166

CHAPTER XVI.
IN WHICH ERNEST MAKES A LANDING ON THE HUDSON 177

CHAPTER XVII.
IN WHICH ERNEST OUTFLANKS TOM THORNTON 189

CHAPTER XVIII.
IN WHICH ERNEST CALLS ON SEVERAL LORAINES 200

CHAPTER XIX.
IN