and
to hear something concerning his voyage. In short, he was an object of
curiosity as well as respect, for at that day there was a mysterious
interest attached to a young man who had been a voyage round the world,
it being associated with spirit and daring of a remarkable kind.

But it was not these friends Tite stole away and went down into the
village to see. It was Mattie, at the mention of whose name a blush
always colored his cheek. The two lovers had arranged for a morning
walk, and were soon seen coming from the house together, smiling and
happy. Mrs. Chapman had condescended to see them to the door, and her
ponderous figure quite filled the space. "Don't forget, my daughter,"
she said, as they were leaving, "don't forget to bring the young
gentleman back to dine with us. We can't promise him anything very nice;
but he is welcome, you know, and must try and accommodate himself to our
changed circumstances."

There is to me nothing more beautiful to contemplate than the picture of
two young lovers brought happily together after years of trial and
disappointment, themselves representing what there is good and pure in
the human heart. It is then we seem to see the heart liberate itself
from guile, and truth and right rejoice in their triumph over wrong.
There was just such a picture presented by Mattie Chapman, the
true-hearted American girl, and the active, earnest, persevering, and
modest, American boy, just at this moment.

The day was bright and breezy, and there, high up on that hill
overlooking the Tappan Zee, under that clump of trees, with their
embracing branches forming a bower, in the very spot where they had
liberated their hearts and pledged their love, and bid each other a sad
adieu on the morning Tite sailed on his voyage, the young lovers were
seated again. Hour after hour passed, and still they sat there, for Tite
was recounting his adventures; telling Mattie the story of his strange
voyage, and listening in return to her recital of what had taken place
during his absence. Indeed, so earnestly were they engaged relating what
had happened since they had been separated that they quite forgot
dinner; and on returning to the house, found Mrs. Chapman in a state of
great anxiety. It was not that they had been absent so long; but the
young gentleman would find things cold and unsatisfactory. The truth
was, Mrs. Chapman had dressed herself with a view to a little display,
and was a little disappointed