"How is that, Mary?" demanded the judge. "Have you any notion of changing your mind?"
"Oh, no, sir," answered the girl timidly, and with an affectionate glance at Dorn.
"I should think not, from the way I found you when I came in," added the judge mischievously. "Well, you know what Franklin says, 'never put off until to-morrow what can be done to-day.' Why not get the business over right away, and complete the happiness of your day. Stand right out there before me and I'll soon—"
"Oh, no, sir," exclaimed Mary, in a half-frightened way, "Please, no, sir. I promised Ruth that we would wait for her and Lem, and we are all to stand up together."
"Ah, indeed! Well where are your friends Ruth and her lover? They ought to be here."
"I think they are in the court-room outside," volunteered Mr. Holden. "At least they were there a few moments ago, when I came in here. I have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Pawlett, and can guess the relations between him and a very pretty little girl sitting beside him."
"You know Lem?" exclaimed Dorn.
"Yes, he hunted me up in New York, and it was at his instance that I came here to give my testimony."
"And he didn't tell me a word about it when he came back; did not even come to see me—left me to imagine that he had not succeeded in finding you!"
"Ah, he followed my instructions somewhat too literally. I advised him not to tell anybody, but I did not exactly mean that he should not mention it to you. Still, the fault, if any exists, is mine. And it's all right now."