The very day of the wedding Abel Newt and his companion arrived at Jersey City.  Leaving Kitty in a hotel, he crossed the river, and ascertained that the vessel on which he had taken two berths under a false name was full and ready, and would sail upon her day.  He showed himself in Wall Street, carefully dressed, carefully sober—­evidently mindful, people said, of his new position; and they thought his coming home showed that he was on good terms with his family, and that he was really resolved to behave himself.

For a day or two he appeared in the business streets and offices, and talked gravely of public measures.  General Belch was confounded by the cool sobriety, and superiority, and ceremony of the Honorable Mr. Newt.  When he made a joke, Abel laughed with such patronizing politeness that the General was frightened, and tried no more.  When he treated Abel familiarly, and told him what a jolly lift his speech had given to their common cause—­the Grant—­the Honorable Mr. Newt replied, with a cold bow, that he was glad if he had done his duty and satisfied his constituents; bowing so coldly that the General was confounded.  He spat into his fire, and said, “The Devil!”

When Abel had gone, General Belch was profoundly conscious that King Log was better than King Stork, and thought regretfully of the Honorable Watkins Bodley.

After a day or two the Honorable Mr. Newt went to his Uncle Lawrence’s office.  Abel had not often been there.  He had never felt himself to be very welcome there; and as he came into the inner room where Lawrence and Gabriel sat, they were quite as curious to know why he had come as he was to know what his reception would be.  Abel bowed politely, and said he could not help congratulating his uncle upon the news he had heard, but would not conceal his surprise.  What his surprise was he did not explain; but Lawrence very well knew.  Abel had the good sense not to mention, the name of Hope Wayne, and not to dwell upon any subject that involved feeling.  He said that he hoped by-gones would be by-gones; that he had been a wild boy, but that a career now opened upon him of which he hoped to prove worthy.

“There was a time, Uncle Lawrence,” he said, “when I despised your warning; now I thank you for it.”

Lawrence held out his hand to his nephew: 

“Honesty is the best policy, at least, if nothing more,” he said, smiling.  “You have a chance; I hope, with all my heart, you will use it well.”

There was little more to say, and of that little Gabriel said nothing.  Abel spoke of public affairs; and after a short time he took leave.

“Can the leopard change his spots?” said Gabriel, looking at the senior partner.

“A bad man may become better,” was all the answer; and the two merchants were busy again.

Returning to Wall Street, the Honorable Abel Newt met Mr. President Van Boozenberg.  They shook hands, and the old gentleman said, warmly,