en from doubt,--a boy's doubt. Come,
sirs."

"O Eugene! Eugene!" cried Madeline, throwing herself on her knees before
hint, "do not order me to leave you now, now in the hour of dread! I
will not. Nay, look not so! I swear I will not! Father, dear father,
come and plead for me,--say I shall go with you. I ask nothing more. Do
not fear for my nerves,--cowardice is gone. I will not shame you, I will
not play the woman. I know what is due to one who loves him. Try
me, only try me. You weep, father, you shake your head. But you,
Eugene,--you have not the heart to deny me? Think--think if I stayed
here to count the moments till you return, my very senses would leave
me. What do I ask? But to go with you, to be the first to hail your
triumph! Had this happened two hours hence, you could not have said me
nay,--I should have claimed the right to be with you; I now but implore
the blessing. You relent, you relent; I see it!"

"O Heaven!" exclaimed Aram, rising, and clasping her to his breast,
and wildly kissing her face, but with cold and trembling lips, "this
is indeed a bitter hour; let me not sink beneath it. Yes, Madeline, ask
your father if he consents; I hail your strengthening presence as that
of an angel. I will not be the one to sever you from my side."

"You are right, Eugene," said Lester, who was supporting Ellinor, not
yet recovered,--"let her go with us; it is but common kindness and
common mercy."

Madeline uttered a cry of joy (joy even at such a moment!), and clung
fast to Eugene's arm, as if for assurance that they were not indeed to
be separated.

By this time some of Lester's servants, who had from a distance followed
their young mistresses, reached the spot. To their care Lester gave the
still scarce reviving Ellinor; and then, turning round with a severe
countenance to Walter, said, "Come, sir, your rashness has done
sufficient wrong for the present; come now, and see how soon your
suspicions will end in shame."

"Justice, and blood for blood!" said Walter, sternly; but his heart felt
as if it were broken. His venerable uncle's tears, Madeline's look of
horror as she turned from him, Ellinor all lifeless, and he not daring
to approach her,--this was HIS work! He pulled his hat over his eyes,
and hastened into the carriage alone. Lester, Madeline, and Aram
followed in the other vehicle; and the two officers contented themselves
with mounting the box, certain the prisoner would attempt no escape.