"Not much of a chance anywhere, I guess," said the old lady, wiping her spectacles, "if folks only preached the Gospil." Even now the coach is creaking along through the outskirts of Ashfield; and presently the driver's horn wakes the echoes of the hills, while the horses plunge forward at a doubled pace. The eyes of Maverick are intent upon every house, every open window, every moving figure. "It's a most a beautiful town," said the old lady. "Charming, charming, Madam!"--and even as he spoke, Maverick's eye fastens upon two figures before them with a strange yearning in his gaze,--two figures of almost equal height: a little, coquettish play of ribbons about the head of one, which in the other are absent; a girlish, elastic step to one, that does not belong to the other. Is there something in the gait, something in the poise of the head, to which the memory of Maverick so cleaves? It is, indeed, Adèle, taking her noon-day walk with Madame Arles. A lithe figure and a buoyant step, holding themselves tenderly in check for the slower pace of the companion. Maverick's gaze keeps fast upon them,--fast upon them, until the old coach is fairly abreast,--fast upon them, until by a glance back he has caught full sight of the faces. "_Mon Dieu!_" he exclaims, and throws himself back in the coach. "Häow?" says the old lady. "_Mon Dieu_, it is she!" continues Maverick, speaking under intense excitement to himself, as if unconscious of any other presence. "Häow?" urged the old lady, more persistently. "Damn it, nothing, Madam!" And the old lady drew the strings of her bag closely, and looked full out of the opposite window. Within, a half-hour the stage-coach arrived at the Eagle Tavern. Maverick demanded a chamber, and asked to see the landlord. The stout, blear-eyed Boody presently made his appearance. "How can I reach New York soonest, my friend?" Mr. Boody consulted his watch. "Well, by fast driving you might catch the night-boat on the river." "Can you get me there in time?" "Well, Sir," reflecting a moment, "I guess I can." "Very good. Have your carriage ready as soon as possible." And within an hour, Maverick, dejected, and with an anxious air, was on his return to the city. Three days after, the Doctor summons Adèle into his study. "Adaly, here is a letter from your father, which I wish you to read." The girl takes it eagerly, and at the first line exclaims,-- "He is in New York! Why doesn't he come here?" * * * * *