"Wise men ne'er sit and wail their woes,

But presently prevent the ways to wail."

It was a hot August afternoon; and the garden at Hyde Manor was full of

scent in all its shady places,--hot lavender, seductive carnation, the

secretive intoxication of the large white lilies, and mingling with them

the warm smell of ripe fruits from the raspberry hedges, and the

apricots and plums turning gold and purple upon the southern walls.

Hyde sat at an open window, breathing the balmy air, and basking in the

light and heat, which really came to him with "healing on their wings."

He was pale and wasted from his long sickness; but there was speculation

and purpose in his face, and he had evidently cast away the mental

apathy of the invalid. As he sat thus, a servant entered and said a few

words which made him turn with a glad, expectant manner to the open

door; and, as he did so, a man of near sixty years of age passed through

it--a handsome, lordly-looking man, who had that striking personal

resemblance to Hyde which affectionate brothers often have to one

another.

"Faith, William, you are welcome home! I am most glad to see you."

"Sit still, Dick. You sad rascal, you've been playing with cold steel

again, I hear! Can't you let it alone, at your age?"

"Why, then, it was my business, as you know, sir. My dear William, how

delighted I am to see you!"

"'Tis twelve years since we met, Dick. You have been in America; I have

been everywhere. I confess, too, I am amazed to hear of your marriage.

And Hyde Manor is a miracle. I expected to find it mouldy and mossy--a

haunt for frogs and fever. On the contrary, it is a place of perfect

beauty."

"And it was all my Katherine's doing."

"I hear that she is Dutch; and, beyond a doubt, her people have a genius

that develops in low lands."

"She is my angel. I am unworthy of her goodness and beauty."

"Why, then, Dick, I never saw you before in such a proper mood; and I

may as well tell you, while you are in it, that I have also found a

treasure past belief of the same kind. In fact, Dick, I am married, and

have two sons."

There was a moment's profound silence, and an inexplicable shadow passed

rapidly over Hyde's face; but it was fleeting as a thought, and, ere

the pause became strained and painful, he turned to his brother and

said, "I am glad, William. With all my heart, I am glad."




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