offended at his acceptance of
the rich merchant's bounty, but he soon saw that Holden regarded money
too little to consider the mere giving or receiving of it as of much
consequence. Upon further reflection, and a consideration of the
manner in which his father had lived for so many years, the idea which
yet seemed shadowed forth by his language, that he was possessed of
property, appeared utterly chimerical. He was therefore disposed to
attach to his father's words some mystical sense, or to suppose that
he imagined himself in possession of a secret, by means of which
he could command the wealth he scorned. Of course the young man
considered such anticipations as visionary as the immediate coming
of that millenium for which the longing eyes of the enthusiast daily
looked forth.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

From yon blue heavens, above us bent,
The gard'ner Adam and his wife
Smile at the claims of long descent:
Howe'er it be, it seems to me,
'Tis only noble to be good;
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.

TENNYSON.

The news of the discovery of the relationship between Holden and
Pownal had reached Hillsdale before their arrival, and the friends
and acquaintances of both, comprising pretty much the whole village,
hastened to present their congratulations. Many supposed now they had
obtained a clue to the singularities of the Solitary, and expected
that since he had recovered his son, he would resume the habits of
ordinary life. But nothing seemed further from Holden's intention. In
spite of the entreaties of his son, and the remonstrances of those few
who ventured to speak to him on the subject, he returned on the very
day of their arrival to his cabin. It was, however, with no harshness,
but with gentle and even exculpatory language, he refused their
request.

"Think not hard of me, my son, nor you, kind friends," he said, "if my
ears are deaf to your solicitations. The old man is weary and seeketh
rest. The trembling nerves still quiver to the cries of the horsemen
and the rattling of chariots, nor may the tumult pass away till old
sights and sounds stealing in with soft ministry compose the excited
yet not unpleased spirit. I would gladly in solitude lay my tired head
on the bosom of the Father, and thank Him in the silence of His works
for mercies exceeding thought."

Holden, however, could not refuse to allow his son to accompany him,
and to