“I am afraid he has had the thought about the half million too long in his mind. It was the first thing, evidently, that came to him when the little cloud of trouble appeared. I was pained to hear him mention his danger, for it proved that he had been thinking of it.” “You wrong him. A person of his noble nature is always sensitive.” “If he had no thought of wrong, it would hardly have occurred to him when the plan miscarried.” “You have already condemned him.” “No, far from it; I hope Mr. Birch will be able to make it apparent that he had no selfish motives.” Dr. Bilks spoke as a man disturbed by doubts and fears, but who was sincerely anxious that those doubts and fears should be removed. He staid till quite a late hour, and suggested various plans by which Dick could be extricated from his unfortunate position; but Eugene had too much faith in simple integrity to believe in any plans. When the doctor took his leave, Julia came into the library with her mother. She was sad and gloomy, and her looks sufficiently indicated her interest in Dick. Eugene told them enough of what had transpired to explain the rupture with Dick, and assured them it would soon be healed. “I know he never had a thought of anything wrong,” said Julia. “I do not think he had.” “There is no reason why he should conceal his meeting with Mr. Buckstone from you, if he did meet him.” “None that we know of; but Dick says he was anxious to make Mary the legal wife of Buckstone, to prevent me from marrying her.” “To prevent you from marrying her!” exclaimed Mrs. Hungerford. “Of course Eugene never had such a thought,” added Julia to her mother. “I had no such thought before I came home,” said Eugene, who considered this a good opportunity to inform his mother and sister of his purpose. “Have you now?” demanded Mrs. Hungerford, full of motherly anxiety. “I have, mother; I intend to make her my wife as soon as possible.” “Eugene!” “You cannot mean so!” ejaculated Julia. “I am entirely in earnest.” “Marry Mary Kingman!” exclaimed his mother. “Why not?” “Why not? Sure enough, why not!” said Mrs. Hungerford, more excited, if not more indignant, than she was wont to be. “Why not?” Eugene asked, quietly. “How can you ask such a question?” “Isn’t Mary a good girl?” “Well, she was a good girl.” “Isn’t she now?” “I do not wish to say anything to hurt your feelings, Eugene; but you know yourself that what has happened makes her notorious; and this terrible murder will not improve her reputation. She has been town talk for months; now she will be the talk of the whole state.” “Is that her fault?” “Perhaps not. We don’t even know that she was married to the man she called her husband. Why, it’s shameful, Eugene! It would be a disgrace to the whole family. We never should get over it.” Eugene explained for two hours, but he failed to remove their objections. “Promise me, Eugene, that you will not marry her,” pleaded Julia. “I cannot.”