He returned at last, accompanied by Miriam, whom he tenderly conducted into the room, and who, passing by all others, tottered forward, and sank, weeping, at the feet of Mr. Willcoxen, and clasping his knees, still wept, as if her heart would break.

Thurston stooped and raised her, pressed the kiss of forgiveness on her young brow, and then whispered: 

“Miriam, have you forgotten that there is another here who claims your attention?” took her by the hand and led her to Marian.

The young girl was shy and silent, but Marian drew to her bosom, saying: 

“Has my ‘baby’ forgotten me?  And so, you would have been an avenger, Miriam.  Remember, all your life, dear child, that such an office is never to be assumed by an erring human creature.  ’Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord.’” And kissing Miriam fondly; she resigned her to Paul’s care, and turned, and gave her own hand to Thurston, who conducted her to the carriage, and then returned for little Angel, who all this time had sat demurely in a little parlor chair.

They were followed by Paul and Miriam, and so set forth for Dell-Delight.

But little more remains to be told.

Thurston resigned his pastoral charge of the village Church; settled up his business in the neighborhood; procured a discreet woman to keep house at Dell-Delight; left Paul, Miriam and poor Fanny in her care, and set out with Marian on their western journey, to select the site for the settlement of her emigrant proteges.  After successfully accomplishing this mission, they returned East, and embarked for Liverpool, and thence to London, where Marian dissolved her connection with the “Emigrants’ Help,” and bade adieu to her “Orphans’ Home.”  Thurston made large donations to both these institutions.  And Marian saw that her place was well supplied to the “Orphans’ Home” by another competent woman.  Then they returned to America.  Their travels had occupied more than twelve months.  And their expenses, of all sorts, had absorbed more than a third of Mr. Willcoxen’s princely fortune—­yet with what joy was it lavished by his hand, who felt he could not do too much for his priceless Marian.

On their return home a heartfelt gratification met them—­it was that the parish had shown their undiminished confidence in Mr. Willcoxen, and their high appreciation of his services, by keeping his pulpit open for him.  And a few days after his settlement at home a delegation of the vestry waited upon him to solicit his acceptance of the ministry.  And after talking with his “liege lady,” as he fondly and proudly termed Marian, Mr. Willcoxen was well pleased to return a favorable answer.

And in a day or two Thurston and Marian were called upon to give decision in another case, to wit: 

Jacquelina had not returned to Bethlehem, nor renewed her vows; but had doffed her nun’s habit for a young lady’s dress, and remained at Luckenough.  Cloudy had not failed to push his suit with all his might.  But Jacquelina still hesitated—­she did not know, she said, but she thought she had no right to be happy, as other people had, she had caused so much trouble in the world, she reckoned she had better go back to her convent.