foot on the threshold.

Then she turned.

"Oh, sir," said she, in a low, thrilling voice, "I pray God that it may
ever be in my power to do something for you--some day--in return--for
all this. God bless you! you have saved me--"

And with these words she entered the house. The door closed between us
--she was gone.

I stood and listened for a long time. All was still.

"Thank Heaven!" I murmured, as I turned away. "The family have not
been alarmed. She is safe."

I went home, but did not sleep that night My brain was in a whirl from
the excitement of this new adventure. In that adventure every
circumstance was one of the most impressive character; and at the same
time every thing was contradictory and bewildering to such an extent
that I did not know whether to congratulate myself or not, whether to
rejoice or lament. I might rejoice at finding the Lady of the Ice; but
my joy was modified by the thought that I found her meditating flight
with another man. I had saved her; but then I was very well aware that,
if I had not come, she might never have left her home, and might never
have been in a position to need help. Jack had, no doubt, neglected to
meet her. Over some things, however, I found myself exulting--first,
that, after all, I _had_ saved her, and, secondly, that she had found
out Jack.

As for Jack, my feelings to him underwent a rapid and decisive change.
My excitement and irritation died away. I saw that we had both been
under a mistake. I might perhaps have blamed him for his treachery
toward Marion in urging her to a rash and ruinous elopement; but any
blame which I threw on him was largely modified by a certain
satisfaction which I felt in knowing that his failure to meet her,
fortunate as it was for her, and fortunate as it was also for himself
would change her former love for him into scorn and contempt. His
influence over her was henceforth at an end, and the only obstacle that
I saw in the way of my love was suddenly and effectually removed.

CHAPTER XXIX.

PUZZLING QUESTIONS WHICH CANNOT BE ANSWERED AS YET.--A STEP TOWARD
RECONCILIATION.--REUNION OF A BROKEN FRIENDSHIP.--PIECES ALL COLLECTED
AND JOINED.--JOY OF JACK.--SOLEMN DEBATES OVER THE GREAT PUZZLE OF THE
PERIOD.--FRIENDLY CONFERENCES AND CONFIDENCES.--AN IMPORTANT
COMMUNICATION.

The night passed, and the morning came, and the impression of these
Recent events grew more and more vivid. The very circumstances under
which