“Let it be to-morrow, Eugene,” replied she, with the sweetest smile he had seen upon her face since the death of John Hungerford. “As you will, dearest,” added he, taking her hand. “I can wait, because your smile tells me what your answer will be.” He kissed her blushing cheek. It was the first time since they had been scholars together. The clouds appeared suddenly to have rolled away. They were happy; both forgot the past. “I hope Dr. Bilks, or Dr. Lynch, will not leave Poppleton,” said she. “I am sure he is a good man at heart. He could not have done so many kind things if he had not been.” “He has many good traits of character. Of course I can never regard him as I did before; that would be impossible.” “Self-interest and ambition often lead men astray. He has done very wrong.” “And we will freely forgive him.” Eugene returned to Pine Hill. Though it was late, Dick Birch and the family were still in the sitting-room. They had been talking of Dr. Lynch, but they had unanimously forgiven him. “You are late, Hungerford,” said Dick, with a smile. “I was detained.” “No doubt of it,” laughed Dick. “A fellow is very apt to be detained under certain circumstances. I hope you are not committed.” “I have been committed from the beginning. I intend that Mary shall be my wife; and the sooner the better.” “Of course I have nothing to say.” “Are you still opposed?” “I am.” Eugene exhibited Mary’s papers, which he had brought with him for this purpose. There was not a legal doubt expressed in regard to them, and all were pleased to have the appearance of wrong removed from Mary, especially since it had become a settled fact that she was to be the mistress of the Pine Hill mansion. For some reason, not apparent to others, Dick Birch did not seem to be so much interested in the marriage papers as might have been expected. He said but little about them, and avoided the subject; but no one doubted that he was as much pleased with her vindication as Eugene himself. “Now, Dick, what have you been about all summer?” asked Eugene, after the ladies had retired.