residence at St. Ignace doesn't imply creditors. I've
taken a room here at Poussette's, and I shall live in comfort for the
short time that may elapse before we start. One thing, I hope, I hope,
I shall keep sober. Would you take me if you thought I wouldn't, lady
dear?"

He sat, stooping forward, his hair slightly disarranged, his blue eyes
no longer choleric but gently smiling. She realized that he was still
goodlooking, still a gentleman, a man of culture and even talent, young
enough to move the world, and almost as young in appearance as herself;
for mental anxiety and care of any kind always showed directly in her
mobile features, and she was already beginning to track a few grey
hairs and a few unbecoming wrinkles.

"There's another reason," she said evasively. "You have no idea how
persistent this young man, the minister, has become. I have warned
him, I have told him--not everything, of course, but a great deal--yet
still he follows me, and to-day, I cannot remember what I said; but I
have certainly led him to expect that I shall marry him."

"What! The parson! I thought you had more sense. Never do, never in
the world. And now in the light of my proposals, see what you would be
throwing away."

"But he is very earnest, very determined. He may keep me to my word.
He may not get over it if I refuse, if I manage to leave St. Ignace
with you."

Crabbe laughed and kissed her lightly on the ear. He said nothing, but
produced first letters and papers from his pocket and then a small
case. Pauline opened it; a pair of beautiful ear-rings flashed in the
lamp light. In her ears were the imitation ones; she thought no longer
of anything but whisking these out and putting on the others. Together
they studied the papers and read the letters; and before they parted
for the rest of the night she had promised to be ready in a month to
marry him wherever he would prefer to have the ceremony performed, and
to go abroad with him. She was to say that he had certainly come into
some money but not to say how much; she was to busy herself with making
arrangements for her brother's future comfort, as in all probability
the pair would never revisit St. Ignace; and she was to make in
particular a visit of a few days to Hawthorne on special and private
business connected with the child Angeel.

CHAPTER XX

A RURAL AUTOCRAT

"The discipline of slavery is unknown
Amongst us--hence the more do we requir