ous benefactor, it seemed, to his ingenuous mind,
as if he were half guilty of a wrong in withholding any part of his
confidence from Mr. Pownal, and he felt strongly tempted to admit him
into the inner sanctuary of his soul. But a feeling natural in such
cases, and the consideration that he was not perfectly sure his
affection was returned by Anne, restrained him, and he contented
himself with repeating his thanks for a generosity so much exceeding
his hopes.

"Nay," said the merchant, "I must be the judge of these things. This
may do to begin with. When you are married I will double it."

The tell-tale cheeks of Pownal excited the suspicions of the old
gentleman, whose eyes were fastened on him as he spoke.

"Ah, ha!" cried he, laughing, "have I found you out, Thomas? I do not
believe, on the whole, the bribe will be necessary. I understand now
your enthusiasm about the beauties of Hillsdale. But never blush.
There's no harm in possessing good taste. I was in love twenty times
before I was your age. When shall the wedding be, eh?"

"My dear sir," said Pownal smiling, "it will be time enough years
hence, to think of these things. In a matter of this kind, I know of
no better example to follow, than your own."

"No, no, no, Thomas, do not imitate me there; I postponed my happiness
too long, and were I to commence life again, I should not crawl with
such a snail's pace towards it as formerly. But I have no fear of you
or that my joints will be too stiff to dance on the joyful occasion."

The parting was such as might be expected between persons brought
together under circumstances so singular, where on the one side there
was a sense of obligation, it was a pleasure to cherish, and on the
other, the yet higher gratification of conferring happiness. As Holden
wrung the hand of Mr. Pownal who accompanied them to the vessel, that
was to take them home, he invoked, in his enthusiastic way, a
blessing upon his head. "The Almighty bless thee," he exclaimed, "with
blessings of Heaven above, and blessings of the deep that lieth under.
May thy bow abide in strength, and the arms of thy hands be made
strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob."

Knowing how little his father prized the things of this world. Pownal
had not communicated to him before their departure the liberal conduct
of the noble merchant they had just left, but now, in a conversation
one day, in which they reviewed the past, and, notwithstanding the
So