“Dear Sir,—­Is it characteristic of a brave and generous man to confer the greatest obligations upon another, and not permit that other the common privilege of expressing gratitude?  Were I a man, I would follow and weary you with a vain effort to utter the thanks I owe you.  But I can only say a few cold words on paper at the risk of being misunderstood.” ("Um-m, I don’t see what danger she could apprehend on that score,” said Bart quite sharply.) “When I had wandered beyond the help of my father and friends, into danger, and, I think, to certain death, you were inspired with the heart, skill and strength, to find and save me.  Next to God, who led you, I owe my life to you.  When this is said, I cannot say more.  I know of no earthly good that you do not deserve; I can think of no gift of Heaven, that I do not ask of It for you.

“You will not be offended that I should most anxiously insist that some little benefit should in some way come to you, from my father; and you will certainly, when you first return to Newbury, give me an opportunity to say to you how much I owe you, and how heavy the obligation rests upon me.  You promised me this and will fulfil it.  My mother, who sees this note, wants you to realize her profound sense of your service to us, enhanced if possible by the noble and manly way in which you rendered it.  She was always your discerning and discriminating friend.”

“Discriminating,”—­Bart did not like that, but no matter.  That was all.

“A very pretty letter, my lady Julia,” said Bart with a long breath.  “Quite warm.  I confess I don’t care much for your gratitude—­but very pretty and condescending.  And it is kind to advise me that whatever may have been your estimate of me, your sweet lady mother ‘discerned’ differently.  What you mean by discriminating is a very pretty little woman mystery, that I shall never know.”

“And now for my Lord Judge:” 

“NEWBURY, April 8, 1838.

“BARTON RIDGELEY, ESQ.: 

“My Dear Sir,—­I was disappointed at not finding you at Wilder’s, where your noble exertions had placed my daughter.  I was more disappointed on calling at your mother’s the following morning, hoping to carry you to my house.  If anything in my conduct in the past contributed to these disappointments, I regret it.” ("Very manly, Judge Markham,” remarked Bart.  “Don’t feel uneasy, I should have acted all the same.”) “You saved to us, and to herself, our daughter, and can better understand our feelings for this great benefit than I can express them.” ("All right Judge, I would not try it further, if I were you.”) “Whoever confers such a benefaction, also confers the right upon the receiver, not only to express gratitude by words, but by acts, which shall avail in some substantial way.” ("Rather logical, Judge!”) “I shall insist that you permit me to place at your disposal means to launch you in your profession in a way commensurate with your talents and deservings.” ("Um-m-m.”)