"All right, sir, now that you have come. We have been a little anxious within the last hour or two, sir; especially the judge, who is here." "Judge Merlin here?" "Yes, sir. He came over to wait for you. And the two young gentlemen are also here, sir. They came back after tea. I heard them say to the judge that they thought it quite likely you would have some last things to say to them to-night, and so they would wait." "Quite right. Morris. Now take my horse around to the stables and then return as fast as you can," said Ishmael, as he passed the professor and entered the office. The judge and the two young clerks occupied it. The former was walking up and down the floor impatiently. The latter were seated at their desks. The judge turned quickly to greet his young friend. "Oh, Ishmael, I am so relieved that you have come at last. I have been very anxious for the last few hours." "Why so, sir?" inquired Ishmael, as he shook hands with the old man. "Did you not know that I would be punctual when I gave you my word to that effect?" "Oh, yes; but there are such things as accidents, you know, and an accident would have been very awkward on the eve of a voyage. And you are late, you are late, you see!" "Yes," said Ishmael, as he passed on to speak to his young clerks and thank them for their thoughtfulness in waiting. Then, while divesting himself of his greatcoat, he explained to the judge the cause of his short delay--the detour he had made to bid good-by to his old friends, Hannah and Reuben. By the time he had done this, and seated himself, the professor returned from the livery stables; but he only reported the safe delivery of the horse and then passed through the office into the house. In a few minutes he returned, saying: "Mr. Worth, the ladies bid me say that they had kept supper waiting for you, and they hope you will do them the favor to come in and partake of it, as it is your last evening at home for some time. And they will also be very much gratified if your friends will come and sup with you on this occasion." "Will you come, judge? And you, too, gentlemen?" inquired Ishmael, turning to his companions, who all three bowed assent. "Return to the ladies and say that I thank them very much for their kindness, and that we will come with pleasure," he said to the professor. And then with a smile and a bow, and a request to be excused for a few minutes, Ishmael passed into his bedroom to make some little change in his toilet for the evening. When he rejoined his friends they went into the supper-room, where they found an elegant and luxurious feast laid; and the two fair old ladies, in their soft, plain, gray mousseline dresses and delicate lace caps, waiting to do the honors. These maiden ladies, with their refinement, intelligence, and benevolence, had completely won the affections of Ishmael, who loved them with a filial reverence. There was no one else present in the room except themselves and a waiter.