Alice Randolph insists on Uncle Thomas accepting fifty thousand pounds for his services and reimbursement. The uncle proposes a compromise of half that sum, but Alice and Charles are obstinate. To avoid a serious rupture between relatives, Uncle Thomas yields.
In their complete content pity is felt for Paul Lanier. Alice cannot forget her part in that Bombay tableau or in those lake promptings.
Looking at Bessie, they often think of that crazed outlaw's strange caprice in sparing lives of Northfield sleepers upon the memorable night.
It is with much satisfaction that all learn of Paul's possible recovery. Pierre's strange restitution and refusal to accept any aid from either Sir Donald or Thomas Webster is matter for frequent Northfield comment.
Paul grows more tractable, showing signs of returning reason. Pierre becomes devoutly thankful.
Some believe Pierre hypocritical; others say:
Many look upon this enigma, the while thinking of one who "went to his own place."
Eternity is so long! A lost soul is such a fearful loss!
Possibly that ancient Tenderness, with bias for saving, hopefully "shadows" Pierre and Paul Lanier.
Transcribers's Note: Various inconsistencies in spelling and punctuation have been regularized, References are to folio (page) numbers: 20 - "disposition" second "i" added 43 - terminal "e" added to "appearance" 125 - accent removed from "employe" 186 - "...into the sea." was comma 276 - "...home again." period added 355 - accent added to "élite" 381 - ""Listening at the...." double quote added 422 - terminal "s" added to "status" List of Illustrations, 327, Illustration caption - "Car'line" sometimes shown as "Caroline" in original Italicized words are noted with "_"
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Oswald Langdon, by Carson Jay Lee