“Draw the ring off my finger, Orion, and wear it worthily.—­Where is little Mary, where is Paula?  I should wish to bid them farewell too.”

The young man and his mother exchanged uneasy glances, but Neforis collected herself at once and replied: 

“We have sent for Mary; but Paula—­you know she never was happy with us—­and since the events of yesterday. . . .”

“Well?” asked the invalid.

“She hastily quitted the house; but we parted friends, I can assure you of that; she is still in Memphis, and she spoke of you most affectionately and wished to see you, and charged me with many loving messages for you; so, if you really care to see her. . . .”

The sick man tried to nod his head, but in vain.  He did not, however, insist on her being sent for, but his face wore an expression of deep melancholy and the words came faintly from his lips.

“Thomas’ daughter!  The noblest and loveliest of all.”

“The noblest and loveliest,” echoed Orion, in a voice that was tremulous with strong, deep and sincere emotion; then he begged the leech and the deaconess to leave him alone with his parents.  As soon as they had left the room the young man spoke softly but urgently into his father’s ear: 

“You are quite right, Father,” he said.  “She is better and more noble, more beautiful and more highminded than any girl living.  I love her, and will stake everything to win her heart.  Oh, God!  Oh, God!  Merciful Heaven!—­Are you glad, do you give your consent, Father?  You dearest and best of men; I see it in your face.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” murmured the governor; his yellow, bloodshot eyes looked up to Heaven, and with a terrible effort he stammered out:  “Blessing—­my blessing, on you and Paula.—­Tell her from me....  If she had confided in her old uncle, as she used to do, the freedman would never have robbed us.—­She is a brave soul; how she fought for the poor fellow.  I will hear more about it if my strength holds out.—­Why is she not here?”

“She wished so much to bid you farewell,” replied Neforis, “but you were asleep.”

“Was she in such a hurry to be gone?” asked her husband with a bitter smile.  “Fear about the emerald may have had something to do with it?  But how could I be angry with her?  Hiram acted without her knowledge, I suppose?  Yes, I knew it!—­Ah; that dear, sweet face!  If I could but see it once more.  The joy—­of my eyes, and my companion at draughts!  A faithful heart too; how she clung to her father! she was ready to sacrifice everything for him.—­And you, you, my old....  But no—­no reproaches at such a time.  You, Mother—­you, my Neforis, thanks, a thousand thanks for all your love and kindness.  What a mystical and magic bond is that of a Christian marriage like ours?  Mark that, Orion.  And you, Mother:  I am anxious about this.  You—­do not hurt the girl’s feelings again.  Say—­say you bless this union; it will make me happier at the last.—­Paula and Orion; both of them-both.—­I never dared before —­but what better could we wish?”