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?"

The matron clasped her hands and sobbed out: