a, with a most innocent face; and in an
interview of _half_ a minute explained to Bernard that Hudson was a
dangerous lunatic who must be taken away immediately; then waiting till
the valorous Bernard was safely out on the piazza, she unceremoniously
shut and locked the door. Hudson, apparently much surprised at such
inhospitable conduct, pulled the door-bell half a dozen times. When he
was quite wearied with his exertions, Bernard suggested that they
should take a little walk together. Much coaxing was requisite, for
Hudson was quite determined to effect an entrance; but finally Bernard
took his arm, and bore him off to the tavern.

"I had much more to say to Mrs. Cleveland," he remarked, _en route_,
"but I fear it has already been too much for her nerves."

At the tavern, Bernard found a constable, who immediately arrested the
unhappy victim of misplaced affection, and telegraphed to Mount Kisco
for a magistrate. Then ensued endless hours of waiting. Mamma lay
upon the sofa whiter than any ghost, now that the strain upon her
nerves was relaxed, and Mrs. L----, a loquacious neighbor, ran in from
time to time with reports of what people were saying, and how the
prisoner looked and felt.

At 7 P.M. the magistrate, Mr. Clarence Hyatt, arrived, and we all went
down to the improvised court-house in the tavern. Ida and mamma were
shown into a private room, where Mr. Hyatt, a very polite and agreeable
gentleman, took their affidavits before they were confronted with the
enemy. The news had by this time spread far and near, and all
Chappaqua was assembled. The wildest reports were now circulated, to
the effect that Hudson had pointed a pistol at Ida, and vowed to kill
her instantly if she did not promise to marry him, and mamma and Ida
were advised to keep their veils down, that he might not become
familiar with their faces, and to remain at a respectful distance from
him.

Hudson was sitting between two constables, and was being inspected by a
large crowd. He looked very quiet, and upon listening to the
affidavits, remarked that Mr. Hyatt must have misunderstood the ladies,
for he was perfectly incapable of having alarmed them to the extent
indicated; that he certainly admired Miss Ida, and desired to marry
her, but that he would not willingly injure or alarm the humblest
creature--adding reproachfully that those affidavits would suffice to
condemn him to State prison for life. He appeared so perfectly
rational