side of the house were closed, and the main gate
always thrown wide day and night in ungoverned
welcome, was seldom opened except to a few intimate
friends of the old nurse.

At first Pastor Dellenbaugh had been considerate
enough to mount the long path to inquire for news
of the travelers and to see how Martha was getting
along, but after the receipt of the earlier letters from
Jane telling of their safe arrival and their sojourn
in a little village but a short distance out of Paris,
convenient to the great city, even his visits ceased.
Captain Holt never darkened the door; nor did he
ever willingly stop to talk to Martha when he met
her on the road. She felt the slight, and avoided
him when she could. This resulted in their seldom
speaking to each other, and then only in the most
casual way. She fancied he might think she wanted
news of Bart, and so gave him no opportunity to discuss
him or his whereabouts; but she was mistaken.
The captain never mentioned his name to friend or
stranger. To him the boy was dead for all time.
Nor had anyone of his companions heard from him
since that stormy night on the beach.

Doctor John's struggle had lasted for months, but
he had come through it chastened and determined.
For the first few days he went about his work as
one in a dream, his mind on the woman he loved,
his hand mechanically doing its duty. Jane had so