hen at Lawrence Newt, who did not cease smiling, as if he were in no
perplexity whatsoever. Then at Amy, who sat smiling at her through the
tears that had gathered in the thoughtful womanly brown eyes.

"Let me speak," said Lawrence Newt, quietly. "Why should we not all be
glad and happy with you? You have found a sister, Aunt Martha has found
herself and a son, I have found a wife, and Amy a husband."

They returned to the room where they had left the guests, and the story
was quietly told to Hope Wayne and the others.

Hope and Edward looked at each other.

"Little Malacca!" she said, in a low tone, putting out her hand.

"Sister Hope," said the young man, blushing, and his large eyes filling
with tenderness.

"And my sister, too," whispered Ellen Bennet, as she took Hope's other
hand.

CHAPTER LXXXIII.

MRS. DELILAH JONES.

Mr. Newt's political friends in New York were naturally anxious when he
went to Washington. They had constant communication with the Honorable
Mr. Ele in regard to his colleague; for although they were entirely sure
of Mr. Ele, they could not quite confide in Mr. Newt, nor help feeling
that, in some eccentric moment, even his interest might fail to control
him.

"The truth is, I begin to be sick of it," said General Belch to the calm
William Condor.

That placid gentleman replied that he saw no reason for apprehension.

"But he may let things out, you know," said Belch.

"Yes, but is not our word as good as his," was the assuring reply.

"Perhaps, perhaps," said General Belch, dolefully.

But Belch and Condor were forgotten by the representative they had sent
to Congress when he once snuffed the air of Washington. There was
something grateful to Abel Newt in the wide sphere and complicated
relations of the political capital, of which the atmosphere was one of
intrigue, and which was built over the mines and countermines of
selfishness. He hoodwinked all Belch's spies, so that the Honorable Mr.
Ele could never ascertain any thing about his colleague, until once when
he discovered that the report upon the Grant was to be brought in within
a day or two by the Committee, and that it would be recommended, upon
which he hastened to Abel's lodging. He found him smoking as usual, with
a decanter at hand. It was past midnight, and the room was in the
disorder of a bachelor's sanctum.

Mr. Ele seated himself carelessly, so carelessly that Abel saw at once
that he had come for som