I told him of the scene in the sitting-room, of the walk to the General's house--told him all except that kiss at the gate. He uttered not a word; he had taken hold of the bars and was standing with his head resting upon his arms--had gradually found this position, and now I could not see his face. Long I stood there, waiting, but he spoke not. Suddenly he wheeled about, fell upon his bed and sobbed aloud. And so I left him, and ere I reached the door I knew that his sobbing was a prayer, that his heart had found peace and rest. Upon a pardon from the governor he could have looked with cool indifference, for without that girl's love he cared not to live; but now to know that through the dark she had fled from her home, rebellious against her father's pride, wild with love--it was a mercy granted by the Governor of governors. I went to see Conkwright and told him of the threat that Stuart had made, and the old man's eyes glistened. "We ought to have had that girl on the stand in the first place," he said. "But it was a delicate matter and, of course, we didn't know that she could bear so strongly upon the case. It's all right--better as it is, and that boy will get off as sure as you are sitting there. That threat was worse than his standing in the road, waiting. Yes, sir, it's all right, and you may take up your school again and go ahead with your work." "I don't want to go ahead with it, Mr. Conkwright. I want to study law with you. The school was only a makeshift, any way. You are getting old and you need some one to do the drudgery of your office. I will come in and work faithfully." "Don't know but you are right, Billy." "I wish, sir, that you wouldn't call me Billy." "All right, Colonel." "And I don't care to be called Colonel. You may call me Bill, if you want to, but Billy----" "A little too soft, eh? All right. I don't know but you are the very man I want. You are faithful and you've got a good head. Call again in a day or two. It has been a long time since I had a partner. Yes, come in again, and I think we can arrange it." "There is something else that I want to speak about, and to me it is of more importance than----" "Love!" the old man broke in, winking at me. "I'll tell you, if you'll wait a moment. Then you may place your own estimate upon it." I told him of the broken engagement, of Chyd's indifference, of the old couple's plan to leave the community, and I unfolded my sentimental resolve to buy the old house. "And now I must ask a favor," I continued. "Old man Perdue told me that he would pay me for the time--time I have not taught, but as I am not going to fill out the term it wouldn't be right to take the money." "Ah, and it is law you want to study?" "Why, of course. Didn't I make that plain?" "Oh, yes. And you don't think it would be right to take the money? Go ahead, though."