“And he that particular about his clane linen! Sure, I nivir less would have belaived it av sich a jintleman!” sighed Judy. “Where is the scoundrel now?” inquired the colonel. “Somewhere in Europe on his bridal tour,” replied Ran. “On his bridal tour?” “Oh, yes,” said Ran. And then he told the story of Gentleman Geff’s felonious marriage. “A fine account he will have to settle!” exclaimed the colonel. “Two assaults, with intent to kill, one bigamy, divers forgeries and perjuries, to say nothing of the fraudulent claim of a name and estate to which he has no right.” “I shall not take a single step toward prosecuting him,” said Ran. “Ah! you won’t! By the way, do you really sail on Saturday?” “Yes, colonel, really. And, moreover, I mean to take Judy with me. Yes, indeed, sir. She is more than wealth, and rank, and culture, and every other worldly good. Sooner than part again, with half a sphere between us, we will get married first and go to school afterward,” said Ran, taking Judy’s hand within his own and keeping a close hold of it. “Whe-ew! And what does Miss Judy say to that?” inquired the colonel. “Sure, thin, sir,” began Judy—but her face flamed and she mended her speech—“indeed, sir, I have consented to do as Ran wishes. Why should I not? Absence has tried us. He has graived—suffered, that is. And as for myself, sir, there was many a time when I could have started to walk clear across the continent to go to him just as I walked through the wilderness to find him when he was wounded, only it would not have been—been—right, I suppose.” “And so you mean really to marry this young fellow and go to Europe with him?” “Yis—yes, if you please, sir.” “But you said out there at the fort that you would not do it until—something or other, I have forgotten what.” “Until he had seen something of the world, sir, to be sure of his own mind—that is what I mint—meant. And now it is not as if Ran and myself had only met lately at a party and took a sudden fancy to each other. We have known each other for years.” “And, sir,” said Ran, “you must not think that we have given up the plan of education; for we have not. I have talked it over with my Cousin Cleve here, and settled upon a plan, to which Judy has agreed. We will marry, as I said, before we sail for England. After we have visited Haymore we will go to London, as being the place of places where we can live in the strictest retirement, unknown and untroubled, until education shall have fitted us to mingle with society. After which we will go and settle at Haymore. This is the best plan I can think of to keep us united. And I will not entertain any plan that is to part this dear, true girl from me, even for a season.” “Bravo, my boy! Even if I had a right to set up any opposition to your wishes, I should not do it. And what is to be done with Mike?”