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 It was not without some misgivings Mr. Kingley came home to dinner that day, some vague suspicion that he should not find Mary there. When convinced that she was really gone, his rage knew no bounds. He cursed and swore, charging his wife with being accessory to her plans. When told that all she knew about it was that a hack came and took her away, he said, "And so you let her go all peaceably did you? Why didn't ye send after me you cussed hussy? If you'd 'a gone instead of her it would have been the most fortunate day of my life."

He never thought that Mary would dare to go off, his threats being intended to prevent James from coming there. His pride forbade his making any farther inquiries for her, and he settled down morose and reserved.

An arrangement was made for James to go to Mrs. Claremont's that evening. A great change had taken place in his looks in one year. His large, handsome eyes had recovered their natural, innocent expression, and his erect bearing and reliant step bespoke a noble purpose, and the decision to carry it out.

How Mary's heart fluttered as she beheld with becoming pride the manly form who had wrestled with a greater foe than ball or sword had ever slain, and spoke the sacred words of more than usual solemnity to her, "I will be thine forevermore."

Under the circumstances it was agreed that it would not be best to defer the marriage more than a month. When Walter and his mother were holding