"And it might have been longer had it depended on you, sir," replied Aunt Ursul. "But one must first visit his pinery. Relatives and friends come later. It is fortunate that Aunt Ursul knows her people, or she might have had to look long for you, sir." She threw her gun with a powerful swing on her shoulder, turned short on the heel of her man's boots, and began to stride back over the road along the creek by which she had come. She had returned Lambert's salutation but slightly, and had not noticed Catherine at all. "How did you learn that I am back?" asked Lambert. "Not from you, sir," replied Aunt Ursul. "How is uncle?" "As usual." "You have taken such good care of my things--" "One must, when the men are wandering about the country." "You well know, aunt, that I did not remain so long away for release from labor, nor entirely on my own account. Nor was my journey useless. The business that took me to New York is so arranged that you and others will be satisfied." "So!" said Ursul. "And I have likewise brought with me for you a young female friend, whom you will love as she deserves, and whom you will receive kindly as you do all who need your help." "So!" said Aunt Ursul. The path was so narrow that two could not walk abreast. Ursul did not turn about, but Lambert now did so and observed that Catherine was quite pale, and that tears stood in her eyes. The sight cut him to the heart, as he had but a little before seen the beautiful face radiant with happiness. "Have good courage, my girl," said he softly. "She does not mean unkindly." Catherine tried to smile through her tears, and bowed as if she would say: "Let it pass. Since you love me I can bear anything." "Lambert!" called Ursul, who was vigorously walking on, "come here!" "Only go," stammered Catherine; "but, for God's sake, tell her nothing. I could not endure it." The young man tore himself away with a powerful effort and followed Ursul Ditmar, whom he soon overtook. "Come to my side," said Aunt Ursul; "the path is wide enough so you need no longer trot behind me." Lambert did as his aunt desired. Aunt Ursul could not bear opposition, and Lambert had from his youth honored her as a second mother. However he could not refrain from saying with mild reproach, "You are very rough with the poor girl, aunt." "So!" said the dame. "Do you think so? It is naturally very important for an old person like me to know what such a look into the world means. No, I may as well tell you what I think. You have done a foolish thing, sir, do you hear--a besotted, foolish thing in that at such a time you have burdened yourself with a woman. If, instead, you had brought half a dozen men, these we could indeed have used to better advantage." "But, Aunt Ursul, first hear me--"