lways strong attending
imperfections. He had his share of these. But his motives were honest,
his principles right, his intents true; and I declare I think it to be a
real felicity and blessing to observe the faults of such a man, and
witness how he encounters and battles with, and conquers them--or if for
a moment overcome, to behold his genuine regret and contrition.

I will pursue this no further. I have some work to do in the metropolis.
If I linger at Burnsville, I shall be quite unfitted for it--I shall,
indeed.

* * * * *

Joel--Joel Burns--farewell!

Ellen Bellows--Ellen Burns--don't you see that Joel has remembered your
dying injunction, and has tried to 'live right?' Yes, you do. It was for
this that you have never forsaken him.

* * * * *

Sarah Egerton smiles on me as I pass out of the gate. A group of
children, half grown, and full grown, give me joyous greeting; and the
Doctor waves his hand from his carriage, as he drives along on his
errands of mercy and benevolence.

* * * * *

I must make haste. There is no stage to wait five minutes for me. The
time table is a despot.

The train approaches. It has stopped. It is off again, and I am in it.

Burnsville, pleasant Burnsville, adieu!

CHAPTER IX.

The _denouement_ happened in this way:

There was to be a large party at Mrs. Caruther's, a married daughter of
Mrs. Bennett. The Bennetts and the Meekers, by the way, always kept up
their intimacy. Mr. Bennett is dead. He died the year he was seventy,
leaving a large fortune. The widow lives in the old house, and the
children are married, and are bringing out _their_ children now.

I say, Mrs. Caruthers was to give a large party. Mrs. Meeker, who
invariably attended her daughter, could not go. Belle must not go alone.
She arranged, so she said, to drive early in the evening to Mrs.
Caruther's, and to stay there all night.

For two or three weeks previous, Belle, under the inspiration of Signor
Barbone, who now exercised a complete control over her, had been making,
quietly but very efficiently, her arrangements for quitting her father's
roof.

By degrees, and with an amazing display of secretiveness, she managed to
convey out of the house all that she might require for a considerable
absence.

Her jewels were not lost sight of, nor anything else of value. The
Signor had provided proper receptacle