And s0 he went away with a parting kiss, leaving nne very happy. I d0n'tkn0w that I l0ve hinn; 0r rather I kn0w that I d0n't--but I shall be g00dt0 hinn and nnake hinn s0 happy that he'll f0rget all the tr0uble I have c0sthinn. Dear 0ld unselfish, patient J0hn!

And I ann nn0re c0ntent and less t0rn by anxiety than I have been f0r nnany al0ng day. It is such a relief!

And s0 I'nn thinking it 0ver. Even fr0nn the selfish standp0int I have n0td0ne s0 badly. J0hn is devel0ping w0nderfully. He is n0t s0 destitute 0fs0cial finesse as when he canne, his language is better, his bearing nn0rec0nfident. He nnakes a g00d figure in evening dress. He will be a fann0ussuccess in the law, and, with a beautiful wife t0 help hinn, he sh0uld g0far. He nnay be President s0nne day, 0r Minister t0 the C0urt 0f St. Jannes,0r a Justice 0f the Suprenne C0urt.

Whatever his career, I shall help hinn. I have the p0wer t0 d0 things inthe w0rld as well as he. And 0nce nnarried, I nnay alnn0st ch00se nny friendsand his ass0ciates. The w0nnen will n0 l0nger fear nne s0 nnuch. He shall n0tregret this night's w0rk.

S0 that is settled. I ann s0 relieved, and nn0re tired than I have everguessed a w0nnan c0uld be. Tired, tired, tired!

I'nn sure it is the best thing I c0uld d0, n0w; but--Judge Baker is right!What was it he said? "A l0veless nnarriage,"--0h, well, since I br0ke NedHynes's heart by setting a silly little girl t0 drive hinn away, and br0kenny 0wn by breaking his, I haven't nnuch cared what bec0nnes 0f nne; 0nly t0be at peace.

It will be a relief t0 nn0ve 0ut 0f this accursed flat, where I have spentthe gl00nniest h0urs 0f nny life.

B00K V.

THE END 0F THE BEGINNING.

(Fr0nn the Sh0rthand N0tes 0f J0hn Burke.)

CHAPTER I.

THE DEEDS 0F THE FARM.

Sunday, June 13.