“No, I returned to Boston for a short time. I made a visit to my sister; she is my only near relative, you know; and then, as I was not in sympathy with the Federalist movement, in which so many of my friends up there believed, I thought I would return to Baltimore and see what I could do as a landsman. I have been rather hopeless about my future till now.” “And now?” The look of interest and loving sympathy in Lettice’s eyes was almost too much for the young man’s self-control. “I am more encouraged,” he told her after a moment’s pause, in which it seemed to him that she must hear the wild beating of his heart. “I shall remain in Baltimore, and may I hope to see you there? You will be at your uncle’s for the present?” “I think so, and--yes, I will be glad to see you there.” She wondered if he had the faintest idea of how glad. “Hark, there is twelve o’clock striking,” she exclaimed; “it is the New Year. I can be the first to offer you my good wishes. May it be a happy year to you!” “May it bring you much joy!” he returned, bending over and kissing her hand; surely that little offering of homage might be allowed him on the occasion of the dawn of a new year. “Happy New Year!” called one to another. “Happy New Year!” “It is a happy New Year to us, Patsey,” said Joe, as the last guests departed, and the last lantern twinkled down the road. “It is the happiest New Year of my life, Joe,” said Patsey, lifting her face to his. “My dear, my dear, suppose you were still languishing in that terrible prison!” She shuddered and hid her face on his shoulder. “It is you who wear the fetters now,” said Joe, playfully, to turn her thoughts from the subject. “Yes; but I rejoice in my bondage,” said Patsey, kissing her shining wedding ring. “I glory in being a slave. I am your willing prisoner.” “Not my prisoner, but my queen, my wife,” he answered. “It is a happy New Year for me,” said Lettice, cuddling close to her father’s side, as they drove home together. “What were you and Mr. Baldwin talking about so long?” He drew her closer to him under the warm bearskin robes. “About several things. Is my little girl so very fond of that young man? And would it make her very unhappy to give him up?” “Oh, daddy, dear, you mustn’t ask such personal questions.” “But I want to know.” “Why?” “Because if he is everything to you, I shall put into execution a plan I have; otherwise, I might do something else. You see, he has no future, my child, unless some one uses influence to give him a start. I would rather he were a Marylander, but he cannot help it that he had the misfortune to be born elsewhere,” he added, laughing. “Now, the question is: How far shall I use that influence?” Lettice’s answer came in muffled tones from under the robes, “Use every particle you possess.”