how can I help being shocked at the discovery of a secret disposition
which could have prompted such a deed? O, how different has been the
conduct of him who has thus been made the victim of his misusage!"

"Different! Why, what has he done? I was not aware--"

"True, I am reminded that I have not told you. That loquacious
landlady, where we stopped to dine, told me, as we were coming away,
that there had been a great excitement among the people in the street,
about the outrage; and that Peters would certainly have been mobbed,
if Woodburn had not interfered and prevented it."

"Indeed! I should have hardly expected so much magnanimity in one of
his class. It was truly a noble return for the injuries he had
received from Peters."

"Ay, and by this last act of saving my life, he has still more nobly
revenged himself upon Peters, and upon us all."

"Assisted to save you, I conclude you mean; for I heard Peters tell
your father, that it was the settler who lived in the house near by,
and Colonel Carpenter, who finally rescued you."

"Did he tell my father that story, without mentioning Woodburn?" asked
Miss Haviland, with a look of mingled surprise and displeasure.

"Yes, as he came back to meet us with the news, while we were getting
round with the sleigh to the spot."

"Well, my father shall know the truth of the case; and Mr. Woodburn,