“‘Barton,’ said I, ’God bless you! you never can have cause of complaint against me or mine again:  only give us your confidence, and trust us.’

“‘I am sure you are very kind,’ said he, ’and it is very pleasant to hear it said.  I want to see Mrs. Markham, and in some way say how grateful I am for her kind expressions towards me, and she and—­and you all, have been very kind to my poor dear mother for the past year.’

“‘You would not let us be kind to you,’ said I.

“‘No.  How could I?’ he answered.

“’I don’t know,’said I.  ’I only hope now that there may be no more misunderstandings; that you will now let us—­will give Julia an opportunity, at least to express her gratitude to you, and that we may all unite in so doing.’

“He was silent a moment, and then went on as if thinking aloud: 

“’Julia!  Good Heavens! how can I ever meet her!—­Pardon me; I mean Miss Markham.  I shall certainly call upon the ladies at a very early day,’ he said, coldly.  ‘The fact is, Judge Markham,’ continued he, ’I have been under a little strain, and I am not used to it.  I come back here near home, and see so many old Newbury people, who make me forget how they used to dislike me, and all the old, and all the more recent things, come back upon me so strongly, and I find I am as weak and boyish and foolish as ever.’

“He did not say much more—­he finally asked about you, and after much hesitation, about Julia.  It is so easy to see that his heart is full of her, that I could not help feeling almost wretched for him.  I then asked him when he was going to Newbury.  He thought of going to-morrow in the stage, but said some parties wanted to see him Friday evening.  He has finally consented to wait and ride down with us on Saturday, after the term closes.

“Now, my dear wife, come and bring Julia, if you think it best.  I confess I wish that they might meet at an early day—­but be governed by your better judgment in this—­and you will show her this letter of course.

“Ever, with love and kisses to you both,

EDWARD.”

“Mother,” she said afterwards, “let me suggest that you send up a carriage to-morrow evening, which Papa Judge may take as an invitation to come early on Saturday morning.  If Mr. Ridgeley sees me, had he not better find me in my mother’s and father’s house?”

“If he sees you, Julia?”

“Of course if he wishes to, he will.”

And she was not conversational, and wandered about, and if possible would have been a little pettish.

“Are you not glad, Julia, that he has acquitted himself so well?  He seems to have carried the Court and jury and all by storm.”

“Of course he did.  Does that surprise you?  But it is all so stupid, staying there to try that pokey old case.”

“Julia, what under the sun is the matter?” looking at her in surprise.

The girl turned and knelt by her mother, and laid her face down in her lap, and burst into violent sobbings.