nd without compulsion of any kind?"

"Please let me sit down a moment," she faltered, and Watterly hastened
to give her a chair. She fixed her eyes on Holcroft, and said
anxiously, "You see, sir, how weak I am. I have been sick and--and I
fear I am far from being well now. I fear you will be
disappointed--that it is not right to you, and that I may not be able--"

"Alida," interrupted Holcroft gravely, "I'm not one to break my word.
Home and quiet will soon restore you. Answer the justice and tell him
the exact truth."

No elixir could have brought hope and courage like that word "home."
She rose at once and said to Harkins, "I have consented to Mr.
Holcroft's wishes with feelings of the deepest gratitude."

"Very well. Join hands."

She hesitated and looked for a moment at Holcroft with strange
intensity.

"It's all right, Alida," he said with a smile. "Come!"

His perfect honesty and steadfastness of purpose stood him in good
stead then, for she came at once to his side and took his hand.

Justice Harkins solemnly opened his big book and read, "'By this act of
joining hands you do take each other as husband and wife. Therefore,
in accordance with the law of the State of New York, I do hereby
pronounce you husband and wife.' That's all."

"I don't think you'll ever be sorry, Alida," said Holcroft, pressing
her hand as he led her to a chair. Watterly again bustled up with
congratulations, and then said, "you must all come out now to a little
supper, and also remember that it was gotten up in a hurry."

The domestic stared at Alida and Holcroft, and then surmising what had
taken place, was so excited that she could scarcely wait on the guests.

Holcroft, with the simple tact which genuine kindness usually suggests,
was attentive to his bride, but managed, by no slight effort for him,
to engage the two men in general conversation, so that Alida might have
time to recover her composure. His quiet, matter-of-fact bearing was
reassuring in itself. A cup of strong tea and a little old currant
wine, which Watterly insisted on her taking, brightened her up not a
little. Indeed her weakness was now largely due to the want of
nourishment suited to her feeble condition. Moreover, both nerves and
mind found relief and rest in the consciousness that the decisive step
had been taken. She was no longer shuddering and recoiling from a past
in which each day had revealed more disheartening elements. Her face
wa