Ashton assured him there was no danger, and then, turning to William, said, “Have you ever heard from Inez?”

“Yes,” said Mr. Middleton.  “About a year after her marriage I heard of the birth of a daughter, whom she called Inez Middleton.  I have heard of them once or twice since, but not recently.”

After a moment’s silence Ashton, with some hesitation, said, “If I mistake not, I know Inez Effingham well.”

“You know Inez, my Inez—­where—­how—­tell me all,” said Mr. Middleton, grasping Ashton’s hand as if a new link suddenly added to the chain of friendship which already bound them together.

“You probably remember,” said Ashton, “that when I left you so suddenly there was an American vessel in port.  I was anxious to return home, but fancied you would oppose it, so I left without a word, and went on board the ship.  During the voyage, I found that one of the crew was from my native town.  I eagerly inquired after my parents and my little sister Nellie, whom you so often heard me mention.  Judge of my feelings when told that they were all dead.  In the agony of the moment, I attempted to throw myself overboard, but was prevented.  From that time all desire to return was gone, and when at last we stopped at one of the ports in England, I left the vessel to try my fortune in the mother country.”

“But Inez,” said Mr. Middleton, “what of Inez?”

“I will tell you,” answered Ashton.  “After remaining in England some years I became acquainted with her father, Sir Arthur Effingham, who lived forty miles from London.  He invited me to visit his house and there I first saw Inez and her mother.  To know Inez was to love her, but I could not hope to win the haughty Englishman’s daughter, and besides she was so young that I did not believe I had made any impression upon her.  But, encouraged by Lady Effingham, I at length ventured to ask Inez of her father.  I did not wish to marry her then, as she was only fourteen, but her father spurned me with contempt, and bade me never again enter his house.  I obeyed, but tried many times to procure an interview with Inez.  I succeeded, and told her I was about to leave England for America, but should never forget her.  I would not suffer her to bind herself to me by any promise, but expressed my belief that at some future time she would be mine.  It is three years since we parted.  I came immediately to America, but I could not bear to return to my old home, and see it occupied by others, so I wandered this way and at last settled in Frankfort as a merchant.”

Here he stopped and Mr. Middleton said, “You have not told me of the mother.  Does she still live?”

Ashton answered, “She was living when I left England, but Inez has since written me of her death.”

“That will do, Ashton; that will do.  I do not wish to hear any more now,” said Mr. William.

While Mr. Middleton and Ashton were relating their adventures, Aunt Katy was busily engaged in superintending the arrangement of “Marster William’s” sleeping room.  Mrs. Middleton had bidden Judy to see that everything was put in order, but Aunt Katy seemed to think nothing could be done right unless she had an oversight of it.  So she was walking back and forth, consulting with Judy a little and ordering her a good deal.