spoke as though in augury of his own fate. He continued: "But it is
not of myself that I desire to speak. Leon, I say, will be a wiser and
a greater man than I. He will be beloved by his associates, and will
be a blessing in the world."

"I do not doubt it!" said the Judge, impulsively, not knowing to what
the words would lead him.

"I am glad you appreciate his worth," replied the Doctor, quickly. "I
have already taught him much, and I will teach him more, if I am
spared, but, even without my assistance, the fountain of knowledge
from which he now draws will supply him amply. One thing he needs. A
cloud hangs over his past, because he knows not who were his parents.
He has no name, and that thought hangs as a millstone about his neck,
and often weighs him down with discouragment, as he feels that he is
alone in the world. I intend to remedy that. I shall bestow upon him
my own name."

"Your own name?" ejaculated the Judge.

"My own name! I will formally adopt him, and he shall take my name. I
wish you to aid me in the legal steps requisite."

"I will do so with pleasure. Medjora, you are a noble man. I honor you
with all my heart." The Judge occasionally lost his usual dignified
reserve, when his emotions were deeply touched.

"I thank you," said the Doctor. "But, Judge, if I am noble in doing
what I purpose, you have the chance to be even more so."

"What do you mean?"

"Leon needs more than a name. As I have said, the past hangs over his
heart like a pall. Even with my name, he will be a lonely man. He will
continue his habits of studiousness, but he will become a recluse. He
will shun his fellows, because of his sensitiveness upon one point. He
will fear to intrude himself, where he might not be welcome. In such a
life, he would be of little value to his fellows. The world will lose
a great benefactor. There is but one salvation for him, from such a
fate."

"And that is?"

"Marriage! Marriage with a woman of kindred spirit. Marriage with a
woman, possessing equal intellect, and capable of spurring him to
ambitious deeds, at the same time soothing his hours of fatigue.
Marriage, in short, with your daughter."

"With Agnes!" exclaimed the Judge, almost horrified, so great was his
surprise.

"With Agnes!" repeated the Doctor, calmly.

"Impossible! You are mad!" ejaculated the Judge.

"And yet, despite your protest, the marriage will occur," said Dr.
Medjora, in tones so portentous, that the Judge pau