on the window-sill —­ his papers held down by one on the table, the clean floor, —­ yes,” —­ and rising Rufus even went and looked into the closet.  There was the little stack of wood and parcel of kindling, likewise in order; there stood Winthrop’s broom in a corner; and there hung Winthrop’s few clothes that were not folded away in his trunk.  Mother Hubbard’s department was in the same spare and thoroughly kept style; and Rufus came back thoughtfully to his seat before the fire.

“Like him, every bit of it, from the books to the broom.  Like him; —­ his own mind is just as free from dust or confusion; rather more richly furnished.  What a mind it is! and what wealth he’ll make out of it, for pocket and for name both.  And I —­”

Here Rufus’s lucubrations left his brother and went off upon a sea of calculations, landing at Fleet, Norton & Co. and then coming back to Mannahatta and Mr. Haye’s counting-room.  He had plenty of time for them, as no business obviously could be done till the day after to-morrow.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Touch.  All your writers do consent that ipso is he; now you are not ipse, for I am he. Well.  Which he, sir?  AS YOU LIKE IT.

In due course of time the morrow brought round eleven o’clock; and the two brothers took their way, whither all the world severally were taking theirs, to Mr. Haye’s house.  The wedding was over and the guests were pouring in.

For some reason or other the walk was taken in grave silence, by both parties, till they were mounting the steps to the hall door.

“How do you suppose Elizabeth will like this?” Rufus whispered.

Winthrop did not say, nor indeed answer at all; and his brother’s attention was caught the next minute by Mr. Herder whom they encountered in the hall.

“How do you do?” said the naturalist grasping both his young friends’ hands, —­ “when did you come? and how is all wiz you?  I hope you are not going to be married!”

“Why, Mr. Herder?” said Rufus laughing.

“It is very perplexing, and does not satisfy nobody,” said the naturalist.  “So quick as a man thinks of somebody else a leetle too hard, he forgets himself altogezer; and then, he does not be sure what he is doing.  Now —­ dis man —­”

“Isn’t he sure what he has done?” said Rufus much amused.

“No, he does not know,” said Mr. Herder.

“What does his daughter think of it?”

“She looks black at it.  I do not know what she is thinking.  I do not want to know.”

“Ha!  What does she say?”

“She says nozing at all; she looks black,” said the naturalist shrugging his shoulders.  “Don’t you go to get married.  You will not satisfy nobody.”

“Except myself,” said Rufus.

“Maybe.  I do not know,” said the naturalist.  “A man has not no right to satisfy himself wizout he can satisfy ozer people too.  I am sorry for poor Miss Elisabet’.”