"Perhaps not quite immediately."

"And long engagements are never wise," said the other.

"Three or four months," suggested Aaron. But Mr. Beckard shook his
head.

The afternoon at Mrs. Bell's house was melancholy. The final
decision of the three judges was as follows. There was to be no
engagement; of course no correspondence. Aaron was to be told that
it would be better that he should get lodgings elsewhere when he
returned; but that he would be allowed to visit at Mrs. Bell's
house,--and at Mrs. Beckard's, which was very considerate. If he
should succeed in getting a permanent appointment, and if he and
Susan still held the same mind, why then--&c. &c. Such was Susan's
fate, as communicated to her by Mrs. Bell and Hetta. She sat still
and wept when she heard it; but she did not complain. She had
always felt that Hetta would be against her.

"Mayn't I see him, then?" she said through her tears.

Hetta thought she had better not. Mrs. Bell thought she might.
Phineas decided that they might shake hands, but only in full
conclave. There was to be no lovers' farewell. Aaron was to leave
the house at half-past five; but before he went Susan should be
called down. Poor Susan! She sat down and bemoaned herself;
uncomplaining, but very sad.

Susan was soft, feminine, and manageable. But Aaron Dunn was not
very soft, was especially masculine, and in some matters not easily