moment's patient silence, looking from one to the other.

"All?" screamed Mrs. North; "is it not enough?"

"Not to change my mind nor my residence at present," replied North,
coolly.

"Do you mean to continue this folly all your life?"

"And have a coroner's inquest, and advertisements and all the facts
in the papers?"

"And have HER read the melancholy details, and know that you were
faithful and she was not?"

This last shot was from the gentle Maria, who bit her lips as it
glanced from the immovable man.

"I believe there is nothing more to say," continued North, quietly.
"I am willing to believe your intentions are as worthy as your
zeal. Let us say no more," he added, with grave weariness; "the
tide is rising, and your coachman is signaling you from the bank."

There was no mistaking the unshaken positiveness of the man, which
was all the more noticeable from its gentle but utter indifference
to the wishes of the party. He turned his back upon them as they
gathered hurriedly around the elder gentleman, while the words, "He
cannot be in his right mind," "It's your duty to do it," "It's
sheer insanity," "Look at his eye!" all fell unconsciously upon his
ear.