heart, and I feel just as grateful as though your strong arm had rescued
me."

Dr. Vaudelier, who had succeeded in restoring Vernon--or, by his true
name, Jerome Vaudelier--to consciousness, now entered the room. He
appeared more melancholy and harassed in mind than Emily had before seen
him. His soul seemed to be crushed by the terrible realization that _his
son_ was a common felon--worse than felon, the persecutor of innocence.
A soul as sensitive as his to the distinctions of right and wrong could
hardly endure the misery of that hour.

With an absent manner, he inquired into the condition of the patient,
and took the necessary steps to soothe him to slumber again.

Hatchie, having satisfied himself that the prisoners were all safe, left
them under guard of the woodmen, and returned to the chamber of the sick
man; and, at the doctor's urgent request, Emily left Henry to his care.

CHAPTER XXI.

"_Friar_ Can you forgive?
_Elmore_. As I would be forgiven."

LOVELL.

On the morning following the defeat of Maxwell and Vernon, it became
necessary to make some disposition of the prisoners, so that the
conquerors could attend to their daily duties. Their number was too
large to be left upon the island in the absence of its defenders. A
consultation between Dr. Vaudelier and the principals of the party took
place. There were so many difficulties in the way of bringing the
invaders to justice, that it was finally decided to release them all.
The burden of the evidence was against the physician's son. The doctor,
however much he deprecated the deed, was anxious to save his son from
the publicity of a trial. His friends, seeing the melancholy truth,
relieved his mind by suggesting that all of them be released, which was
accordingly done.

Vernon had entirely recovered from the effects of Hatchie's blow, and
was seated at the window of his apartment, contemplating the means of
escape. At his father's request, two men had sat by him during the
night, as much to prevent his escape as to minister to his wants. The
watchers were still in the room. Vernon was not yet informed of the
relation he sustained to the proprietor of the mansion in which he now
involuntarily abode. He thought that, considering the unequivocal
circumstances under which he had been made a prisoner, he was treated
with a great deal of gentleness; but to him the reason was not apparent.
He had been an alien from his father's hou