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both as they approached each other。 Both looked pale at first； but
Maurice soon recovered his usual color； and Laura's natural； rich
bloom came back by degrees。 Their emotion at meeting was not to be
wondered at； but there was no trace in it of the paralyzing influence
on the great centres of life which had once acted upon its fated
victim like the fabled head which turned the looker…on into a stone。
〃Is the boy still awake？〃 said Maurice to Paolo； who； as they used to
say of Pushee at the old Anchor Tavern； was everywhere at once on
that gay and busy evening。
〃What！ Mahser Maurice asleep an' all this racket going on？ I hear
him crowing like young cockerel when he fus' smell daylight。〃
〃Tell the nurse to bring him down quietly to the little room that
leads out of the library。〃
The child was brought down in his night…clothes； wide awake；
wondering apparently at the noise he heard； which he seemed to think
was for his special amusement。
〃See if he will go to that lady；〃 said his father。 Both of us held
our breath as Laura stretched her arms towards little Maurice。
The child looked for an instant searchingly； but fearlessly； at her
glowing cheeks； her bright eyes； her welcoming smile； and met her
embrace as she clasped him to her bosom as if he had known her all
his days。
The mortal antipathy had died out of the soul and the blood of
Maurice Kirkwood at that supreme moment when he found himself
snatched from the grasp of death and cradled in the arms of Euthymia。
In closing the New Portfolio I remember that it began with a prefix
which the reader may by this time have forgotten； namely； the First
Opening。 It was perhaps presumptuous to thus imply the probability
of a second opening。
I am reminded from time to time by the correspondents who ask a
certain small favor of me that； as I can only expect to be with my
surviving contemporaries a very little while longer； they would be
much obliged if I would hurry up my answer before it is too late。
They are right； these delicious unknown friends of mine； in reminding
me of a fact which I cannot gainsay and might suffer to pass from my
recollection。 I thank them for recalling my attention to a truth
which I shall be wiser； if not more hilarious； for remembering。
No； I had no right to say the First Opening。 How do I know that I
shall have a chance to open it again？ How do I know that anybody
will want it to be opened a second time？ How do I know that I shall
feel like opening it？ It is safest neither to promise to open the
New Portfolio once more； nor yet to pledge myself to keep it closed
hereafter。 There are many papers potentially existent in it； some of
which might interest a reader here and there。 The Records of the
Pansophian Society contain a considerable number of essays； poems；
stories； and hints capable of being expanded into presentable
dimensions。 In the mean time I will say with Prospero； addressing my
old readers； and my new ones； if such I have；
〃If you be pleased； retire into my cell
And there repose： a turn or two I'll walk；
To still my beating mind。〃
When it has got quiet I may take up the New Portfolio again； and
consider whether it is worth while to open it。
End