visit; his apparent indifference was all explained. He had been so very assiduous and active in his business, and to prepare also for their marriage, that he had not sooner had time; but there was now no reason why she should refuse her consent. So, she was fain to pronounce the decisive word, confirming the hopes of love, which she did with so much sweetness of manner, that the delighted Frank could not help catching it in a glowing kiss.
The happy lovers had now, for the first time, leisure to translate into its proper language, the hieroglyphics of their secret correspondence, which they soon discovered they had already understood, and done justice to each other’s sentiments. This supplied them with a pleasant subject of conversation, and it was long before Frank took leave of his charming bride. But he had business to transact on ’change, for Frank was now a man of business.
He now wished to meet with his old friend the soldier, whom he had always remembered, though he had apparently neglected him. On his side, the cripple had examined the faces of all the passengers who had appeared on the bridge, without recognizing his generous young friend, as he had been led to expect: but the moment he saw him approach, he limped as fast as his crutch could carry him, to bid him welcome; and Frank, kindly hailing the old man, said, “Do you think, friend, you could go
