d
they went home; Elizabeth changed to an automaton again.

But when she got into her own room she sat down, without
taking off her bonnet, to think.

"This is that farmer's boy that father wouldn't help -- and
that he has managed to separate from himself -- and from me!
What did I go there for to-day? Not for my own happiness -- And
now perhaps I shall never see him again. But I am glad I did
go; -- if that is the last."

And spring months and summer months succeeded each other; and
she did not see him again.

CHAPTER VII

Since he doth lack
Of going back
Little, whose will
Doth urge him to run wrong, or to stand still.
BEN JONSON.

One of the warm evenings in that summer, when the windows were
all open of Winthrop's attic and the candles flared in the
soft breeze from the sea, Rufus came in. Winthrop only gave
him a look and a smile from his papers as he appeared; and
Rufus flung himself, or rather dropped down, upon the empty
couch where Winnie used to lie. Perhaps the thought of her
came to him, for he looked exceedingly sober; only he had done
that ever since he shewed his face at the door. For some
minutes he sat in absorbed contemplation of Winthrop, or of
somewhat else; he was certainly looking at him. Winthrop
looked at nothing but his papers; and the rustling of them was
all that was heard, beside the soft rush of the wind.

"Always at work?" said Rufus, in a dismal tone, half
desponding and wholly disconsolate.

"Try to be. --"

"Why don't you snuff those candles?" was the next question,
given with a good deal more life.

"I didn't know you wanted more light," said Winthrop, stopping
to put in order the unruly wicks his brother referred to.

"What are you at there?"

"A long answer in chancery."

"Ryle's?"

"No -- Mr. Eversham's case."

"How does Ryle's business get on?"

"Very satisfactorily. I've got light upon that now."

"What's the last thing done?"

"The last thing I did was to file a replication, bringing the
cause to an issue for proofs; and proofs are now taking before
an Examiner."

"You have succeeded in every step in that cause?"

"In every step."

"The steps must have been well taken."

Winthrop was silent, going on with his 'answer.'

"How much do you expect you'll get from them?"

"Can't tell yet. I somewhat expect to recover a very large
sum."

"Winthrop -- I wish I was a lawyer --" Rufus said presently with
a sigh.

"Why?" said his brother cal