"Is your friend a worthy man--a clever fellow?" asked the widow.

"He is, indeed," said Tom. "I know of but one man who is his equal in all n.o.ble qualities."

"Who is that?" asked the widow.

"Toney Belton," said Tom.

"If your friend is like Toney Belton, he is good enough to marry an emperor's daughter," said the widow.

"But the young lady's parent--her mother--may not consent on account of his poverty," said Tom.

"Let your friend marry the young lady, and obtain her mother's approbation afterwards," said the widow, with much decision in her tone.

"Is that your advice?" asked Tom.

"It is," said the widow. "A parent is a fool to object to a man who can be compared with Toney Belton."

"I want my friend to be married when I am," said Tom.

"Well, let him be married at the same time," said the widow.

"But where are they to go until the young lady's parent becomes reconciled?" asked Tom.

"Bring them here," said the widow; "I will welcome them; and they can remain here until the foolish mother becomes reconciled."

"I will do so," said Tom. And he hurried away to inform Rosabel and Toney of the widow's advice.

"You will not act contrary to your mother's wishes?" said Toney to Rosabel.

"Certainly not," said Rosabel, with a sweet smile. "I have always been her obedient daughter."

On the day appointed for the wedding, a carriage, containing Ida and Rosabel, Toney and Tom, was driven away from the widow's door to the church. In about an hour the Widow Wild heard the sound of wheels on the avenue, and rushed to the porch. As Tom handed Ida out, the widow caught the beautiful bride in her arms, and kissed her with tender affection.

She congratulated the newly-married couple, and then said to Tom,--

"But where is your friend?"

"Here he is," said Tom, pointing to Toney, who was getting from the carriage.

"What! Toney?"

Tom nodded.

"Is Toney your friend?"

"He is, and ever has been, the best and n.o.blest of friends," said Tom.

"But is Toney married?" cried the widow, turning pale.

"He is," said Tom.

"Where is his wife?" gasped the widow.

"Let me introduce you to her," said Toney, as he handed the blushing Rosabel from the carriage.

"What? Rosabel?"

"Rosabel," said Toney.

"Rosabel married?"

"Yes."

"To whom?"

"To Toney Belton."

The widow was speechless for a moment. She then took Toney and Rosabel each by the hand, and said,--

"Now, tell me,--are you two married?"

"We are indeed," said Toney.

The widow kissed Rosabel, and then threw her arms around Toney's neck and kissed him. And then Mrs. Wild blubbered out,--

"Toney, why did you do so?"

"I thought you would not let me have Rosabel."

"Toney Belton, you were a fool! You might have had Rosabel five years ago if you had asked me."

"Did you not always say that no man should marry your daughter unless he was worth a hundred thousand dollars?"

"And were you not worth a hundred thousand dollars five years ago?"

"I?"

"Yes;--you. A man with n.o.bility of mind, and heart, and soul," said the widow, "is worth more than hundred thousand dollars to the woman who marries him; while many a mean fellow, who has a hundred thousand dollars in his possession, is not worth a pinch of snuff."

CHAPTER LIV.

About a week after they were married, Toney and Tom, with their brides, went to Bella Vista, and witnessed the union of Harry Vincent and Imogen Hazlewood, and of Clarence Hastings and Claribel Carrington. Upon his return to Mapleton, Toney received a letter from the Professor, informing him of his marriage with Dora. Dora's aunt having died, about six months before their arrival in Virginia, she had no near relative; and her husband had determined to purchase an estate near Mapleton, where they would, in future, reside. Toney was authorized to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the property.

While Toney and Tom were standing near the post-office, conversing about the contents of the Professor's letter, Seddon suddenly exclaimed,--